San Antonio Animal Care Services officials Dec. 1 introduced a searchable dangerous dog registry that details where legally deemed “dangerous dogs” are located.

The specifics

The online tool lists the specific address of the property owner's dog or dogs in question in addition to the number of dangerous dogs at that location.

According to a city news release, there are more than 100 dogs deemed “dangerous” in San Antonio. The map will be updated as cases occur and includes the address of all active dangerous dogs and the number of dogs designated per address.

City staffers have grappled with a number of calls involving attacks by loose dogs, including one incident in February where a group of dogs attacked one man, killing him and injured three other people.

Local officials said the creation of an interactive online registry of dangerous dogs was prompted by a recent Texas Attorney General ruling allowing SAACS officials to release information on the location’s dangerous dogs.

The city’s ordinance is based on state law, which defines a “dangerous dog” as an animal that makes an unprovoked attack outside the owner’s property and causes bodily injury, or a dog that acts in a way that a person believes the animal would cause injury if it leaves their owner’s property.

The city urges residents to call 311 or 210-207-6000, or visit www.sa.gov/acs if they see what appears to be a dangerous dog, or call 911 if they think a dog poses an immediate threat to life.

What they’re saying

Animal Care Services Director Shannon Sims said San Antonio’s new online dangerous dog registry allows the local government to keep community members informed and safe.

“Over the past year, ACS has worked diligently to increase the number of animal care officers to improve the response time to critical calls. This dangerous dog registry is part of ACS strategic plan that supports a safe community for residents in their neighborhoods,” Sims said in a statement.