Water Turtles Sold On Street Corners Illegal

Baby water turtles are sold on the side of the road all across the Borderland, but not everyone knows it's illegal to sell them.

Water turtles pose a health risk, according to officials. Even the sale of aquatic turtles at pet stores is a violation of city ordinance. Health officials say they can spread salmonella.

"When I saw the turtles, they looked pretty cute, and then I thought about my girl and I wonder if she might want a little pet or something like that," said Martin Castellon from West El Paso.

What Castellon saw was a car parked at the Burger King on North Mesa with a sign advertising water turtles. And he wasn't the only one who thought they were cute. This seller was open for business but illegally.

"The sale of aquatic turtles in the city of El Paso is forbidden by Title 7," said Eduardo De Castro, the deputy director of Public Health for the city of El Paso.

The sign reads that the turtles come with a box, unfortunately they may also come with salmonella and that's the reason the sale of water turtles is illegal.

"You really have to be careful. The aquatic turtle is even more dangerous because the water gets foul with the food and etc," said De Castro.

When a KFOX crew went up to the sellers they didn't want to be interviewed and started packing up to leave. We let Castellon know about the situation.

"I did not know that. I've just been caught in a crime? Am I being punked?" said Castellon.

Health officials said the effects of salmonella could cause your gut to bleed. You could get stomach cramps and end up at the hospital.

"I never considered a turtle being dangerous, but now you're making me think," said Castellon.

Health officials said if you already have a water turtle at home, don't let small children handle it and make sure anyone who does washes their hands thoroughly.

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