San Antonio City Council Proposal Seeks Tighter Control Over Dangerous Dogs

San Antonio City Council Proposes Increased Fines and Stricter Laws for Loose Dogs

The San Antonio City Council is considering a policy proposal that would introduce stricter measures to manage owners of loose and dangerous dogs in the city. Drafted by District 7 Councilmember Marina Alderete Gavito, the proposal includes raising fines for offenders, the city’s right to spay or neuter loose dogs, and greater confidentiality to residents reporting roaming dogs.

Mounting Concerns Following Deadly Incidents

Once approved, the proposal will be passed to the city council’s Public Safety Committee for more nuanced discussions. Alderete Gavito was compelled to draft the policy following a series of alarming dog maulings in San Antonio, including a fatal incident where an 81-year-old man, Ramon Najera, was mauled to death and his wife seriously injured.

Addressing Citywide Shortcomings

Conversely, critics question why the city hadn’t taken more aggressive action to control loose dogs before. City Manager Erik Walsh admitted that several factors such as staffing limitations, and the need for giving everyone a chance, contributed to the issue not being addressed timely. He expressed staunch support for the policy, acknowledging that the city needs to do better.

Policy Features: Higher Fines, Anonymity, and Mandatory Sterilization

The policy proposal comprises three critical elements: enhanced fines, anonymity for reporting residents, and mandatory dog sterilization. Under the current law, the fines levied for owning a loose dog start at $100 for the first offense, escalating to $200 for the second and $300 for the third. The proposed policy refrains from revealing the amount of the increased fines, deferring this responsibility to the city staff and council members to determine as they consider the proposal.

The proposal also encourages the use of pseudonyms by residents reporting their neighbors for owning dangerous dogs. This measure aims to protect their identities and allay fears of retaliation, a concern believed to have contributed to the tragic death of Najera.

Assistant City Manager David McCary, overseeing among other departments the Animal Care Services (ACS), confirmed that ACS technically has the capacity to use pseudonyms but has never done so. He further highlighted that ACS’s current system of dealing with loose or biting dogs involves issuing a sterilization agreement to pet owners. Still, the adherence to this agreement has been extremely low.

Required Funding and Increased Efforts

The city council agrees that, for the proposal to make an impact, ACS would need significant support, including financial backing. Council leaders, like District 6 Councilmember Melissa Cabello Havrda and District 8 Councilmember Manny Pelaez, are vocal about channelling more funding to ACS and addressing the root causes of roaming dogs.

Mayor Ron Nirenberg underscored the urgency of addressing the issue, calling it a public safety matter. He expressed that leniency had lost its place with pet owners, showing firm support for the policy.

The council’s Public Safety Committee will take up further discussion on the policy after the July break.