San Antonio Public Safety Advocates Question Dog Attack Efforts Despite Progress in City Initiatives
Public safety advocates in San Antonio are raising concerns about the city's efforts to control dangerous dog attacks, even as official statistics indicate some progress. The City of San Antonio is conducting its first loose dog count since 2019, utilizing AI and video cameras mounted on vehicles to survey neighborhoods, with fieldwork expected to continue through December. This comes after city records showed an increase in severe dog bites. Tracy Voss, a local public safety advocate, argues that the city prioritizes keeping shelter animals alive over protecting residents from dangerous dogs, citing fatal attacks in 2023 that killed Ramon Najera, 81, and Paul Anthony Striegl, 47. In response to these incidents, the city council increased the Animal Care Services (ACS) budget to $28.5 million for fiscal year 2024, a 33% increase, funding 29 new positions, including roles for bite investigations and dangerous-dog enforcement. Additionally, in December 2024, fines for repeat violations were raised, with a $1...
