San Antonio’s Animal Care Services Struggles to Keep Up Amid Rising Dog Attacks.. “Get it Together”
Thousands of calls to Animal Care Services (ACS) in San Antonio are going unanswered, leaving residents frustrated and fearful. One local resident shared their troubling experience with us, highlighting the dire situation in many neighborhoods. Just another story to add to the thousands of calls, ACS made a ‘note’ they stated of this call this past Saturday stating they could do nothing more:
“My neighbor (District 7) has three Great Danes, huge dogs with only a flimsy four-foot chain fence keeping them in. Whenever I’m in my backyard, they growl and try to get at me, but their owners never come out. Their yard is a junkyard, and the dogs can’t even walk around properly. I’ve reported them five times in the last two years for neglect because they leave the dogs out in freezing and also scorching weather. The owners claim the dogs can go under the house for warmth, but recently, I saw them bury one of the dogs—a 100-pound Great Dane I tried to save. ACS told me they can’t do anything unless other animals start digging up the dead one buried along my fence line. Meanwhile, the city prioritizes stadiums and glitzy projects like Gucci on Broadway, but city services like ACS are failing us.”
-Anonymous Neighbor, District 7 /Case Recorded @ ACS 311 on Saturday, August 31st
ACS Faces a Growing Crisis Amid Budget Increases, BUT Let’s Build New Stadiums Downtown While Neighbors get Attacked
Animal Care Services is responding to more urgent calls about aggressive dogs, animal neglect, and cruelty than ever before, but despite a significant budget increase, the agency is still unable to address all critical incidents. In 2023, ACS was only responding to 44% of the critical calls it received. With additional funding, the city set a goal for ACS to reach a 64% response rate by this year, but as of now, they’ve only hit 59%. The department won’t be able to respond to all critical calls until January 2026, leaving many San Antonio residents in perilous situations.
Community Outrage and the Struggle for Change
San Antonians have voiced their anger and fear over the city’s slow response to dangerous dog incidents. At a recent town hall meeting, dozens of residents shared their harrowing experiences. For instance, Athena Santos, 36, has been complaining to the city for two years about dangerous dogs in her neighborhood. Despite making over 30 calls to ACS since 2022, she has seen no action, even after witnessing these dogs attack other pets and threaten her elderly neighbor and grandchildren.
Dog Attack Tragedies Spark Calls for Reform
The urgency of addressing dangerous dogs in San Antonio escalated after a series of gruesome attacks last year, including the fatal mauling of Air Force veteran Ramon Najera Jr. by two pit bulls. In another incident, a pregnant woman was chased into traffic by a loose dog, resulting in severe injuries and the death of her baby. These tragedies, among others, have intensified the demand for ACS to improve its response times and enforcement measures.
The Challenge of Enforcing Dangerous Dog Regulations
ACS has implemented stricter enforcement of city rules for dogs officially deemed “dangerous,” but the number of severe dog bites continues to rise. Currently, there are 116 dogs classified as dangerous in San Antonio, and while the city mandates special ID collars, muzzles, and other precautions, compliance remains a challenge. At the start of the fiscal year, only 55% of residents with dangerous dogs were following the rules.
Efforts to Control the Stray Dog Population Fall WAY Short
Spaying and neutering programs are one of the city’s strategies to reduce the number of dangerous dogs, but ACS is struggling to meet its goals. A nationwide veterinarian shortage and limited shelter capacity have hindered the agency’s ability to perform the necessary surgeries. While ACS projects an increase in sterilization surgeries this year, it is still short of its targets, and the problem of stray and unneutered animals persists.
Leadership Instability Compounds ACS’s Challenges
As ACS works to address these critical issues, the agency’s leadership remains in flux. Following the retirement of former Director Shannon Sims, the city has yet to appoint a permanent replacement. Interim Director Mike Shannon has been leading the agency, but the search for a full-time director is ongoing, with city officials emphasizing the need for a candidate capable of balancing enforcement, live release rates, and spay-neuter programs.
San Antonio residents are calling for action, but with ACS still struggling to meet its goals, the safety of the community remains at risk. The stories of neglected and dangerous dogs, like the ones in my neighborhood, are a stark reminder that more needs to be done to protect the city’s residents and their pets.
