San Antonio’s Animal Care Services (ACS) has reported a decline in roaming dog incidents, signaling progress in addressing the city’s stray dog problem. However, officials acknowledge that limited staffing and shelter capacity continue to prevent responses to every loose dog report from residents.
Progress and Challenges
During a recent Public Safety Committee briefing, ACS officials highlighted a 9.3% decrease in roaming dog calls, a 14.1% reduction in stray dog intakes, and an 18.1% drop in aggressive dog reports. The department’s critical call response rate has improved to 93.6%, up from 82.4% last year.
ACS Director Jon Gary emphasized that while data indicates fewer stray dogs, the reality for many residents may differ. “We fully recognize that we still have a huge free roaming dog issue here in San Antonio,” Gary stated. The department has adjusted its shelter intake calculations, resulting in a 7.7% reduction in overall shelter intake compared to the previous fiscal year.
Resource Limitations
Despite these improvements, ACS faces challenges in responding to all calls due to resource limitations. Priority is given to critical public safety calls involving aggressive dogs, bites, and cruelty investigations. Non-urgent stray dog calls are not always responded to, particularly when kennel space is limited.
Gary explained that data from unaddressed calls is used to identify problem areas and guide enforcement efforts. The department’s “Foxtrot” sweeps team, consisting of six members, targets high-call volume areas, having responded to 3,756 service calls and impounded 1,040 animals from October to May.
Addressing the Root Problem
District 2 Councilman Jalen McKee-Rodriguez urged ACS to address lower-level calls before they escalate into dangerous dog cases. He highlighted the need for more resources, including additional animal control officers, kennel space, and medical staff.
McKee-Rodriguez noted that ACS’s budget has increased from $15 million in 2021 to about $30 million, yet further investment is necessary. He called for increased advocacy and suggested exploring options such as additional officer pay and a second ACS facility.
Public Safety Concerns
The issue of dangerous dogs remains a significant public safety concern for San Antonio. The city has a dangerous dog registry with 207 dogs, and ACS reported an 82% compliance rate among owners of dangerous dogs. The tragic 2023 death of Ramon Najera in a dog attack has kept the focus on improving dangerous dog investigations and owner accountability.
Assistant City Manager David McCary assured the committee of ongoing efforts to improve transparency and develop a district-level dashboard for tracking ACS performance metrics. “We’re not going to look the other way,” McCary stated. “We’re going to continue to work it and try our best to improve it.”
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
