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Flaco and his owner were brutally attacked in their neighborhood by a loose dog. He did not survive the injuries.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Kathleen Vale<\/p>\n
Kathleen Vale is a San Antonio resident who\u00a0recently retired from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of Kathleen Vale<\/p>\n
Six years ago, buying a home on my quiet childhood street in the Shearer Hills\/Ridgeview neighborhood was a dream come true.<\/p>\n
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Two weeks ago, that dream became a nightmare when my dog,\u00a0Flaco, and I were brutally attacked two houses away from my home.<\/p>\n
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We were following every rule: Flaco was leashed, vaccinated and wearing his tags, but during our 8:30 a.m. walk on Good Friday, a Great Dane mix broke free from an unfenced yard at a recently registered sober living home.<\/p>\n
The dog knocked me to the ground, bit my arm and then mauled Flaco. This dog was hyper-aggressive and 10 times Flaco’s size. In less than one minute, I was bitten and bleeding, and Flaco had sustained injuries so severe he had to be put down several hours later.<\/p>\n
While San Antonio Police Department, EMS, and Animal Care Services (ACS) responded quickly \u2014 Police Chief William McManus offered exceptional support \u2014 the aftermath has revealed a systemic crisis.<\/p>\n
Navigating the maze of police reports and\u00a0ACS affidavits, I\u2019ve learned that these horrific incidents are part of a rising pattern citywide.<\/p>\n
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According to ACS data, reports of dangerous and aggressive dogs are increasing. As of April 9, there are 308 dogs listed in the city’s Dangerous\/Aggressive Dog Registry.<\/a><\/p>\n While the city has increased fines and strengthened reporting protections, significant gaps remain.<\/p>\n Many attacks on animals go unreported, and the system works only after tragedy occurs.<\/p>\n This issue is not about breeds, it is about accountability, neighborhood safety, prevention and consistent public education.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Based on my recent experience, I propose three areas for reform:<\/p>\n \u2022 Address repeat-risk properties. A small number of addresses account for a disproportionate share of incidents. The city should trigger mandatory oversight for these locations, requiring mitigation plans and proactive inspections.
\u2022 Strengthen containment rules. We must clarify “secure fencing” standards and align city ordinances with the\u00a0Texas Safe Outdoor Dogs Act<\/a> to limit unattended tethering in exposed areas and inside neighborhoods.
\u2022 Invest in specialized enforcement and education. San Antonio needs a rapid-response unit dedicated to aggressive dog cases and a robust public education campaign.<\/p>\n