INSIDER
5 dogs involved in attack of woman officially declared dangerous, ACS says
Read full article: 5 dogs involved in attack of woman officially declared dangerous, ACS saysA pack of dogs that attacked a woman on the Southwest Side of San Antonio have officially been declared dangerous, according to Animal Care Services.
Pack of loose dogs attack woman, rip light off SAPD patrol vehicle on Southwest Side
Read full article: Pack of loose dogs attack woman, rip light off SAPD patrol vehicle on Southwest SideA pack of dogs roaming loose from a Southwest Side home bit a woman on her leg and ripped the light off a San Antonio police patrol vehicle.
San Antonio-area shelters offer free, discounted pet adoptions for ‘Empty the Shelters’ initiative
Read full article: San Antonio-area shelters offer free, discounted pet adoptions for ‘Empty the Shelters’ initiativeSan Antonio-area shelters are participating in the BISSELL Pet Foundation’s “Empty the Shelters” initiative in July.
City appoints interim director of Animal Care Services as search continues for permanent hire
Read full article: City appoints interim director of Animal Care Services as search continues for permanent hireMichael Shannon will act as interim director while city leaders search for a permanent replacement for Shannon Sims, who stepped down in May.
Community calls on city for communication in search for ACS director’s seat
Read full article: Community calls on city for communication in search for ACS director’s seatThe city said that as of Friday night, the process of finding a new director for San Antonio Animal Care Services is still ongoing.
SAPD officer shoots, kills, ‘nuisance’ dog charging at him, neighbors say
Read full article: SAPD officer shoots, kills, ‘nuisance’ dog charging at him, neighbors sayPeople who live in the South side neighborhood say the officer had no choice but to shoot the dog. They say they've had their own scary run-ins with that animal and others.
District 7 Councilwoman pushing for new policies to handle dangerous dogs in San Antonio
Read full article: District 7 Councilwoman pushing for new policies to handle dangerous dogs in San AntonioMarina Alderete Gavito held a press conference on her push for new policies for dangerous, aggressive and loose dogs.
San Antonio Pets Alive! urges community for volunteers amid influx of neonatal kittens
Read full article: San Antonio Pets Alive! urges community for volunteers amid influx of neonatal kittensSan Antonio Pets Alive! is urging the community to help with foster homes as kitten season peaks to avoid euthanizing animals.
Animal Care Services says department is halfway to meeting 2024 critical call response time goals
Read full article: Animal Care Services says department is halfway to meeting 2024 critical call response time goalsAfter the City of San Antonio approved a record budget increase for Animal Care Services, the department shared data showing its progress toward meeting its goals.
Increased resources, public safety focuses of ACS strategic plan
Read full article: Increased resources, public safety focuses of ACS strategic planAnimal Care Services officials say they’re making progress on a strategic plan to increase public safety while also improving animal care in San Antonio.
Animal Care Services warns of ‘zero tolerance’ for weather-related violations, says bring pets inside
Read full article: Animal Care Services warns of ‘zero tolerance’ for weather-related violations, says bring pets insideWith wintry weather conditions in San Antonio this week, Animal Care Services is reminding pet owners to bring pets indoors or face the consequences.
‘I thought I was dead’: Recovery continues for local woman, many others, attacked by dogs in 2023
Read full article: ‘I thought I was dead’: Recovery continues for local woman, many others, attacked by dogs in 2023Effie Washington, who was mauled by 2 dogs in November, was among more than half a dozen people who suffered severe injuries or death in dog attacks this year.
Texas not on list of states with ‘mystery dog illness,’ but health officials urge safety with holiday travel
Read full article: Texas not on list of states with ‘mystery dog illness,’ but health officials urge safety with holiday travel16 states have reported cases of the mystery respiratory illness in dogs. Texas is not on that list.
Woman charged months after her 2 dogs attacked and severely injured 76-year-old man, police say
Read full article: Woman charged months after her 2 dogs attacked and severely injured 76-year-old man, police sayA woman has been arrested in connection with a dog attack that severely injured a 76-year-old man in August.
Alamo Heights ACS teams up with dog daycare for new solution to old problem of overcrowded shelters
Read full article: Alamo Heights ACS teams up with dog daycare for new solution to old problem of overcrowded sheltersAlamo Heights Animal Care Services believes it has a new solution to an old problem of loose dogs and overcrowded shelters.
Animal Care Services welcomes 16 new hires as department pushes to improve service
Read full article: Animal Care Services welcomes 16 new hires as department pushes to improve serviceSan Antonio Animal Care Services celebrated the graduation of 16 cadets on Wednesday, bringing the total number of officers actively answering calls to 46.
Kitten rescued from underneath highway overpass by 3 ACS officers
Read full article: Kitten rescued from underneath highway overpass by 3 ACS officersA distressed kitten got to keep all nine of its lives after being rescued from underneath a highway overpass earlier this week by San Antonio Animal Care Services.
Euthanasia ordered for dog whose owner let him attack, bite other man in neck during argument
Read full article: Euthanasia ordered for dog whose owner let him attack, bite other man in neck during argumentA dog whose owner allowed him to attack and bite a man in the neck has been ordered to undergo euthanasia, an Animal Care Services official confirmed.
City Council passes $3.7B budget, including new fund that could help cover travel to out-of-state abortion clinics
Read full article: City Council passes $3.7B budget, including new fund that could help cover travel to out-of-state abortion clinicsThe city council passed the $3.7 billion spending plan for fiscal year 2024 Thursday morning in a 10-0-1 vote. It will take effect Oct. 1 at the beginning of the 2024 fiscal year.
‘Air of compromise’: Abortion travel fund, mental health teams among proposed city budget tweaks
Read full article: ‘Air of compromise’: Abortion travel fund, mental health teams among proposed city budget tweaksExpanding a popular mental health team, creating a fund to help cover travel to out-of-state abortion clinics, and giving more money for Animal Care Services were among the most high-profile changes council members discussed making to the budget - largely favorably.
Man attacked in his own yard by neighbor’s dogs on Northeast Side
Read full article: Man attacked in his own yard by neighbor’s dogs on Northeast SideThe man was outside smoking a cigarette in the 9500 block of Heidelberg Street when someone at his neighbor’s home let two dogs out into the yard. The dogs crossed a fence, ran to the man and attacked him, police said.
Two kittens found with heat exhaustion on East Side trail rescued by ACS officers
Read full article: Two kittens found with heat exhaustion on East Side trail rescued by ACS officersTwo kittens found wandering an East Side trail, overwhelmed by the sweltering heat, were rescued earlier this week by Animal Care Services.
Still no charges for owner of dogs that attacked 76-year-old man
Read full article: Still no charges for owner of dogs that attacked 76-year-old manSan Antonio police say the criminal investigation into the dog owner is still ongoing. The family of the victim said doctors will have to amputate his leg due to the severity of his injuries.
San Antonio ACS mistakenly euthanized two dogs with rescue holds
Read full article: San Antonio ACS mistakenly euthanized two dogs with rescue holdsFaced with a flood of strays and other animals they need to take in, the City of San Antonio's Animal Care Services euthanizes hundreds of animals every month. They often do it to make room, but KSAT's Garrett Brnger tells us two dogs did have somewhere to go.
More police, ACS officers, homeless camp cleanups in proposed $3.7 billion San Antonio budget
Read full article: More police, ACS officers, homeless camp cleanups in proposed $3.7 billion San Antonio budgetThe City of San Antonio is expected to grow its budget to a whopping $3.7 billion this year as it pumps up its Animal Care Service budget, makes the biggest increase to its police department this side of the millennium, and funds hundreds more homeless camp cleanups.
Scammers posing as ACS employees calling grieving owners, lying about their pets being found
Read full article: Scammers posing as ACS employees calling grieving owners, lying about their pets being foundPhone scammers are upsetting grieving pet parents even more by posing as an Animal Care Services employee and claiming their lost pets have been found.
Animal Care Services lowers adoption fees to $25 for limited time, extends hours
Read full article: Animal Care Services lowers adoption fees to $25 for limited time, extends hoursAnimal Care Services is lowering its adoption fees through the end of the month and extending its shelter hours to encourage adoptions.
ACS, San Antonio fire team up to free deer stuck in steel fence
Read full article: ACS, San Antonio fire team up to free deer stuck in steel fenceAnimal Care Services and the San Antonio Fire Department joined forces to save a deer trapped in a steel fence after a family reported the incident to 311.
Dumped dog accused of killing several cats gets a second chance, but not everyone is on board
Read full article: Dumped dog accused of killing several cats gets a second chance, but not everyone is on boardA dumped dog that resorted to killing cats in a neighborhood was rescued and has a new home and name.
Man accused of stabbing dog in neck multiple times with box cutter arrested
Read full article: Man accused of stabbing dog in neck multiple times with box cutter arrestedA man was arrested after stabbing a dog with a boxcutter during a disturbance in late April, according to Animal Care Services and San Antonio police.
Abandoned dogs turned dangerous, now attacking cats in far West Side neighborhoods
Read full article: Abandoned dogs turned dangerous, now attacking cats in far West Side neighborhoodsResidents in the Timber Ridge and Tara neighborhoods are asking for Animal Care Services to do more after dogs continue to roam the area after being abandoned for over two weeks. Neighbors told KSAT they're now attacking pet cats to survive.
Residents plead for ACS’s help after abandoned dogs raise neighborhood safety concerns
Read full article: Residents plead for ACS’s help after abandoned dogs raise neighborhood safety concernsTwo abandoned dogs are causing concerns in a Northwest Side neighborhood. Residents are now urging Animal Care Services to pick up the pups for their safety and the dogs'.
Six puppies found abandoned at San Antonio park now up for adoption, ACS says
Read full article: Six puppies found abandoned at San Antonio park now up for adoption, ACS saysA group of puppies were found trapped in a crate and abandoned at a Southeast Side park. Now, they’re looking for their forever homes, according to Animal Care Services.
Pilots take to the skies flying dogs to new homes, saving pets’ lives
Read full article: Pilots take to the skies flying dogs to new homes, saving pets’ livesAs animal advocates are thinking of creative ways to save lives, a national nonprofit looks to pilots to help transport animals to a better life.
Dangerous and aggressive dog affidavits have nearly tripled since deadly February mauling
Read full article: Dangerous and aggressive dog affidavits have nearly tripled since deadly February maulingDangerous dog investigations can lead to additional restrictions for a dog's owner, but Animal Care Services needs sworn statements from victims or witnesses of an attack to get started.
‘Lucky’ the labrador finds forever home after train tracks rescue
Read full article: ‘Lucky’ the labrador finds forever home after train tracks rescueIt was like a scene out of a movie — a young Labrador that would soon be named “Lucky” was trapped on an active railroad track and unable to free himself.
ACS officer rescues ‘Lucky’ the Labrador after finding dog secured to train tracks with nail
Read full article: ACS officer rescues ‘Lucky’ the Labrador after finding dog secured to train tracks with nailIt was like a scene out of a movie — a young Labrador that would soon be named “Lucky” was trapped on an active railroad track and unable to free himself.
Animals barking, biting all part of the overnight shift for Animal Care Services officers
Read full article: Animals barking, biting all part of the overnight shift for Animal Care Services officersAnimal Care Services started an overnight shift nearly a year ago. Officers on that shift see everything from bats, to dogs and cats, to snakes.
Cat rescued after being trapped in canal at Woodlawn Lake, ACS says
Read full article: Cat rescued after being trapped in canal at Woodlawn Lake, ACS saysA cat was rescued from a steep canal at Woodlawn Lake earlier this week. Now, she’s ready to find her forever home, according to San Antonio Animal Care Services.
Cat recovers after being rescued from interstate overpass ledge, ACS says
Read full article: Cat recovers after being rescued from interstate overpass ledge, ACS saysBridges, the cat, is now in recovery after being rescued from the ledge of an interstate overpass Friday, according to Animal Care Services.
City plans increased dog enforcement, program to tackle nuisance neighbors following deadly mauling
Read full article: City plans increased dog enforcement, program to tackle nuisance neighbors following deadly maulingThe proposed program and dog enforcement efforts stem directly from a West Side home whose dogs were responsible for the brutal Feb. 24 attack that killed an elderly man and sent several others to the hospital.
This map shows active service requests for Animal Care Services in San Antonio
Read full article: This map shows active service requests for Animal Care Services in San AntonioDid you know you can check on the status of your call Animal Care Services-related call to 311 through the city’s website? An interactive map plots every call with an open status and there are hundreds, if not thousands of open requests.
ACS: Dogs euthanized after deadly mauling had bitten people before
Read full article: ACS: Dogs euthanized after deadly mauling had bitten people beforeThe three dogs were all surrendered by the owner and euthanized by ACS. Norwood said the trio had a previous history of at least three confirmed biting incidents between them, and possibly a fourth. However, not each dog was involved in every incident, she said.
Share your questions about and experiences with aggressive and/or stray dogs in San Antonio
Read full article: Share your questions about and experiences with aggressive and/or stray dogs in San AntonioSo, we want to know — what questions do you have about dealing with the problem of aggressive and/or stray dogs in San Antonio? What are your experiences with aggressive dogs in the city? And what solutions do you think the city should try?
Horse caught roaming free, ‘stirring up’ trouble in Beacon Hill neighborhood, ACS says
Read full article: Horse caught roaming free, ‘stirring up’ trouble in Beacon Hill neighborhood, ACS saysA horse was caught “stirring up” trouble in the Beacon Hill neighborhood early Friday and he hasn’t been reunited with his owners yet, according to Animal Care Services.
Highly contagious dog disease seeing uptick in San Antonio, ACS officials say
Read full article: Highly contagious dog disease seeing uptick in San Antonio, ACS officials sayCity of San Antonio animal shelter officials say rates of a highly contagious, potentially deadly, disease are on the rise in local dogs.
Animal Care Services launches new initiative to help keep dogs off the streets
Read full article: Animal Care Services launches new initiative to help keep dogs off the streetsIf you’ve driven around some parts of San Antonio, you may have noticed many apparent stray dogs. However, according to Animal Care Services, some of them could very well have owners.
Three puppies found in ditch, covered in ticks, during wintry weather, ACS says
Read full article: Three puppies found in ditch, covered in ticks, during wintry weather, ACS saysThree puppies were found in a ditch during the recent wintry weather in San Antonio, cold, wet and covered in ticks, according to San Antonio Animal Care Services.
Pony caught taking late-night stroll in West Side neighborhood, ACS says
Read full article: Pony caught taking late-night stroll in West Side neighborhood, ACS saysA pony was taken in by Animal Care Services, but not before stirring up trouble and treating himself to a night on the town on the West Side.
Pug stolen in San Antonio reunited with owner after being found in ‘unsanitary conditions,’ ACS says
Read full article: Pug stolen in San Antonio reunited with owner after being found in ‘unsanitary conditions,’ ACS saysA 3-month-old pug that was stolen several weeks ago in San Antonio was reunited with her family after police discovered her in “unsanitary conditions,” according to Animal Care Services.
Animal Care Services academy introduces new career opportunity to San Antonians
Read full article: Animal Care Services academy introduces new career opportunity to San AntoniansAnimal Care Services has the only officer training academy in the nation that offers people who enjoy animals a chance to learn how to work with them and educate the community on taking care of them properly.
‘We do not have the capacity’: ACS looking to re-home 11 animals not chosen by transport shelters
Read full article: ‘We do not have the capacity’: ACS looking to re-home 11 animals not chosen by transport sheltersSan Antonio Animal Care Services is asking anyone who is interested in fostering or adopting a new furry friend to do so, as time is of the essence for nearly 15 of its animals.
Giant African Spurred Tortoise visits SA park, but no one knows how it got there
Read full article: Giant African Spurred Tortoise visits SA park, but no one knows how it got thereA North Side park had a very unlikely visitor early last week -- a 50-pound African Spurred Tortoise -- and it’s still unclear how it got there.
San Antonio man caught on camera beating his dog gets 25-year prison term
Read full article: San Antonio man caught on camera beating his dog gets 25-year prison termA 56-year-old San Antonio man who was caught on camera punching and kicking his young Rottweiler on the front porch of his home was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
Extreme heat leads to rise in animal neglect calls, ACS says
Read full article: Extreme heat leads to rise in animal neglect calls, ACS saysSan Antonio Animal Care Services says officers are seeing the number of pet neglect complaints related to heat increase as the Alamo City experiences record-high temperatures this summer.
San Antonio animal shelter says dogs, puppies at risk of euthanasia due to ‘Code Red’
Read full article: San Antonio animal shelter says dogs, puppies at risk of euthanasia due to ‘Code Red’San Antonio Pets Alive! is a last-chance rescue organization that takes in animals that are at risk of euthanasia at San Antonio’s Animal Care Services. Right now, all three of SAPA!’s locations are full.
San Antonio family, dog reunited after being apart for nearly a year, ACS says
Read full article: San Antonio family, dog reunited after being apart for nearly a year, ACS saysA San Antonio family had even more reason to celebrate the Fourth of July after their dog that had been missing for nearly a year was found safe.
‘Empty the Shelters’ event will have low-cost pet adoptions in San Antonio
Read full article: ‘Empty the Shelters’ event will have low-cost pet adoptions in San AntonioA big “Empty the Shelters” animal adoption event is taking place across the United States and more than 20 Texas shelters are taking part.
San Antonio animal shelter issues ‘Code Red,’ dogs and puppies at risk of euthanasia
Read full article: San Antonio animal shelter issues ‘Code Red,’ dogs and puppies at risk of euthanasiaSan Antonio Pets Alive! is a last-chance rescue organization that takes in animals that are at risk of euthanasia at San Antonio’s Animal Care Services. Right now, all three of SAPA!’s locations are full.
Puppy whose mouth was bound shut, abandoned at San Antonio shelter recovering, SAPA! says
Read full article: Puppy whose mouth was bound shut, abandoned at San Antonio shelter recovering, SAPA! saysBonnie, the lovable Australian Shepherd puppy that was abandoned at Animal Care Services while covered in urine, dirt and feces with her mouth bound shut, is still recovering from her injuries.
San Antonio animal shelter issues ‘Code Red’ due to urgent need of fostering, adoptions
Read full article: San Antonio animal shelter issues ‘Code Red’ due to urgent need of fostering, adoptionsSan Antonio Pets Alive! is a last-chance rescue organization that takes in animals that are at risk of euthanasia at San Antonio’s Animal Care Services. Right now, all three of SAPA!’s locations are full.