Those ordinances are specifically for those whose dogs get loose and bite and the city says it’s been a long time coming.
SAN ANTONIO — San Antonio council members have passed stricter policies to address dog attacks in the city.
The policy’s goals are for pet owners to be more responsible for their dogs and reduce stray animals in the community.
These ordinances include higher fines and giving Animal Care Services the ability to spay or neuter your dog if it ends up in their custody.
Previously, if your dog got loose, you’d be fined $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second offense, and $300 for any offense after.
The proposal increases fines for pet owners whose dogs run loose. Currently, the first offense carries a $100 fine, increasing by $100 for subsequent offenses.
In the new policy:
- The second offense fine would rise to $500.
- Third and subsequent offenses would cost $750.
The new fine structure for dog bites includes:
- $1,000 for the first bite.
- $1,500 for the second.
- $2,000 for the third.
The goal is to hold irresponsible dog owners, accountable and make the city safer.
“We have several [cases] that are just doing it over and over again. We have to have residents that keep our neighborhood safe by how they handle their pets,” Michael Shannon of San Antonio Animal Care Services said.
Another key policy involves spay and neuter requirements. Currently, Animal Care Services (ACS) can return loose dogs to their owners, mandating sterilization within 30 days. This year alone, over 1,800 sterilization orders have been issued. With the new policy changes, ACS could spay or neuter the dog before returning it to the owner.
The plan also includes an anonymous program to protect individuals filing dangerous dog affidavits.