Abandoned dogs turned dangerous, now attacking cats in far West Side neighborhoods
Residents 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.
City plans increased dog enforcement, program to tackle nuisance neighbors following deadly mauling
The 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
Did you know you can check on the status of your call Animal Care Services-related call to 311 through the cityโs 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
The 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
So, we want to know โ 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?
Easter reminder: Itโs illegal to buy, sell or dye chicks, ducklings, baby rabbits in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO โ While chicks, ducklings and baby rabbits could make your Easter celebration cuter, it is illegal to buy, sell or dye them in San Antonio. Animal Care Services is reminding locals that the sale of baby animals as holiday novelties is illegal in San Antonio. โIt is illegal for any person to sell or offer for sale, barter, lease, rent or give away baby chicks or ducklings or rabbits less than 8 weeks old as pets or novelties,โ the cityโs animal laws state. Itโs also against the law to dye or stain baby chicks, ducklings or rabbits, or even have animals that have been colored, according to ACS. The only exception to the โEaster animalโ law applies to licensed hatcheries or businesses raising the animals for commercial purposes.
Big cats seized from Bexar County home were not properly cared for, San Antonio zoo says
Fish & Wildlife are investigating the recent cases involving big cats seized and spotted in Bexar County-area neighborhoods this month. The big cats taken by authorities were not in good health, said Tim Morrow, president and CEO of the San Antonio Zoo. Thatโs not normal.โAdThe animals will be cared for by the San Antonio Zoo until they are sent to an animal sanctuary, Morrow said. A month ago, a tiger cub was also taken from a home in southwest Bexar County. If enacted, the bill would make it illegal to own tiger petting facilities and exotic big cats.
Dog reunited with family thanks to ACS Facebook volunteers; hereโs how you can help other lost pets
SAN ANTONIO โ Animal Care Services announced a new program on Monday to help reunite pet owners with lost animals by using the power of social media. ACS officials are calling the effort โThe ACS Lost & Found Pet Network,โ a closed Facebook group that reviews digital flyers of pets brought into the municipal shelter and cross-referenced with the pets in the care of ACS staff. Gypsyโs family was able to send the group a message and was reunited with her, marking the groupโs first successful reunion. AdโGypsy is our first official reunion and weโre thrilled, said Lisa Norwood, ACSโ public relations and outreach manager. Currently, the group has close to 100 members, however, the group is always looking for new partners.
Elsa, the tiger rescued in Bexar County, now at home in Northeast Texas sanctuary
She has settled in, sheโs comfortable, sheโs playing, sheโs exploring.โThe six-month-old cub, weighing 79 pounds, also is now on a proper diet with more of the nutrients she needs. Almrud said sheโs just grateful that Elsa was rescued just as frigid weather was bearing down. Although itโs illegal to have a tiger in Bexar County, the people who had Elsa only face a misdemeanor. In Texas, SB 641 will be re-introduced this year that was stalled in committee during the last legislative session. She said it would prohibit the private possession of dangerous wild animals that is still legal in much of Texas.
Time is ticking for pet owners looking for animals lost in winter storm last week
SAN ANTONIO โ During the unprecedented winter weather last week, many animals were lost or left out in the cold, and the small team at Animal Care Services was able to save hundreds of animals. Joe Hernandez waited in line outside ACS on Monday afternoon, hoping to reunite with his two dogs, which he lost during the storm. โThe biggest thing about a microchip is knowing the microchip number. Allan said a skeleton crew braved frigid temperatures and bad road conditions to respond to nonstop calls for abandoned and lost animals. If you have lost your pet, Allan says you should do the following:As for Hernandez, heโs been assured his dogs are waiting patiently for him.
ACS officer hailed hero after rescuing dog stuck on roof of San Antonio College building
An Animal Care Services officer is being hailed a hero after rescuing a dog that was stuck on the roof of a three-story building on San Antonio Collegeโs campus. (Credit: ACS)SAN ANTONIO โ An Animal Care Services officer is being hailed a hero after rescuing a dog that was stuck on the roof of a three-story building on San Antonio Collegeโs campus during this weekโs snow storm. The incident happened Thursday evening when a caller told ACS they had spotted the dog on the building, according to ACS officials. More college officers assisted Vasquez as they tried to guide the dog to safety. AdThe dog was able to be safely rescued and Vazquez brought her down five flights of stairs, taking her to safety, according to ACS.
Puppy found abandoned in box outside San Antonio animal shelter finds forever home
A puppy that was found abandoned, in a box, outside of Animal Care Services last month has now found her forever home! SAN ANTONIO โ A puppy that was found abandoned in a box outside of Animal Care Services last month has now found her forever home. As of Thursday, the animal shelter said she had officially been adopted by โa loving family she deserves,โ according to ACSโs Facebook post. That same day, Animal Defense... Posted by City of San Antonio Animal Care Services on Thursday, February 11, 2021Kelly was found on Jan. 7 in a box outside of ACSโs front gate before being rescued. RELATED: Puppy safe after found abandoned in box outside San Antonio animal shelter, ACS says
San Antonio animal shelters will discount dog, cat adoptions for Valentineโs Day weekend
SAN ANTONIO โ Looking for love in all the wrong places? Two San Antonio shelters, Animals Care Services and San Antonio Humane Society are offering pet adoptions at a discounted rate this Valentineโs Day. AdThose wishing to adopt an animal from ACS, located at 4710 State Highway 151, can make an appointment here. The San Antonio Humane Society, located at 4804 Fredericksburg Road, will have its no-contact adoption special from Wednesday through Tuesday. Potential adopters will still be screened by the Humane Society.
San Antonio pet owners who leave animals unprotected outside during freezing weather could face $300+ fine
SAN ANTONIO โ With an arctic airmass plunging into South Texas this week, Animal Care Services is reminding San Antonio pet owners to protect their animals as the shelter has a โzero toleranceโ policy. ACS said it is best to keep pets, especially cats, indoors during these cold-weather events. If pet owners are unable to place them indoors, they could purchase or build an insulated dog house or protective enclosure for the outdoors. Owners who do not cooperate with ACS officers in sheltering a pet could face a fine, which generally start at $300 per violation. A City of San Antonio ordinance states a suitable shelter for a pet must include walls, a roof and an elevated floor.
There are likely more tigers in captivity than in the wild, Humane Society of the United States says
Even though captive tigers are a โserious threat,โ the Humane Society of the United States said there are likely more tigers in captivity than there are in the wild across the world. โThe Humane Society of the United States strongly opposes keeping tigers and other wild animals as pets,โ she said. Hereโs an expanded list of prohibited animals in Bexar County, according to an order from the Commissioners Court:Prohibited animals in Bexar County, according to an order from the Commissioners Court. AdNorwood said more than 15 years have passed since ACS last helped retrieve a tiger from a San Antonio home. Those include game wardens with the Texas Parks and Wildlife, the San Antonio Zoo or different animal sanctuaries.
ACS warns against having tigers in the city after one was found in someoneโs backyard
We donโt have a credible location for the tiger just yet,โ said Shannon Sims, interim director for ACS. โI was searching, and then my little cousin was like, โI think that is a tiger over there,โโ Cruz said. However, in the city of San Antonio, they are forbidden.โSims said there is a reason why these kinds of animals are forbidden in the city. Rob Coke, director of veterinary care with the San Antonio Zoo, agrees, saying tigers are unpredictable. โThere are many cases out there where people have tigers because they are so cute at first,โ Coke said.
Investigation underway by ACS after tiger cub spotted on Southwest Side
SAN ANTONIO โ An investigation is still underway by Animal Care Services after receiving reports of a loose tiger cub on the Southwest Side. Authorities were notified of the incident around 3:55 p.m., Friday, when a homeowner in the 8600 block of Elk Runner claimed she saw the tiger cub walking around in her backyard. Officers went to her home and by then, the tiger cub had left the scene. Soon after, authorities were able to contact another homeowner, who claimed he had the tiger cub at his residence, officials said. The man told police the tiger cub was from another address in the area and that it was at his home for a few hours so he could show his family.
ACS officers rescue kitten found โfrantically crying,โ surrounded by trash in drainage inlet
Two Animal Care Services officers are being hailed heroes for saving the life of a small kitten who was found โfrantically cryingโ inside of a drainage inlet earlier this week. SAN ANTONIO โ Two Animal Care Services officers are being hailed heroes for saving the life of a small kitten who was found โfrantically cryingโ inside of a drainage inlet earlier this week. Officer Colon and Officer Winckler received a call about a small kitten frantically crying inside a drainage inlet. The drain itself was six feet deep; however, the officers were still equipped to handle the rescue, the animal shelter said. RELATED: Puppy safe after found abandoned in box outside San Antonio animal shelter, ACS says
Animal Care Services employee fired for leaving euthanized dog in transport vehicle
SAN ANTONIO โ An employee with Animal Care Services fired last year after leaving a euthanized dog in a transport vehicle has lost his bid to be reinstated, according to Human Resources records provided to the KSAT 12 Defenders. The deceased dog remained in the mule for nearly 24 hours, according to city records. The commission unanimously recommended that Perezโs termination be upheld, and City Manager Erik Walsh concurred with the recommendation Dec. 21, city records show. Richard Jasso (KSAT)In March, a city facilities manager found Jasso asleep in a security post near a loading dock, records show. Three months later, in September 2019, the interim general manager again found Jasso asleep as the GM was leaving for the day.
Puppy safe after found abandoned in box outside San Antonio animal shelter, ACS says
SAN ANTONIO โ A puppy was found in a box, left in the cold, in front of a San Antonio animal shelter late last week. Animal Care Services staff found the puppy Thursday morning just outside of its front gate, according to a social media post. ๐ฆ โ Our ACS team knows to be aware of their... Posted by City of San Antonio Animal Care Services on Friday, January 8, 2021The puppy, now known as Charlie, was examined by animal shelter staff soon after she was found. โJust a few hours later, Charlie caught the eye of our rescue partners, Animal Defense League of Texas, and was taken into their care,โ Animal Care Services said in a Facebook post. RELATED: Animal Care Services reminds โpet parentsโ to make responsible adoption decisions around holidays
Affidavit: Man seen carrying dead dog by its neck said pet died from depression
SAN ANTONIO โ A man who told Animal Care Officers that his dog died from depression after a neighbor saw him carrying it by its neck has been arrested, according to authorities. An arrest affidavit states a neighbor saw Rose carrying the dog, named โRocky,โ around by its neck on Aug. 8 at an apartment complex. When officers with ACS arrived, Rose told them that he didnโt know how the dog died, police said. Rose said the dog โdied from depression,โ the affidavit states. The dog appeared to have trouble breathing when they returned to the apartment, Rose told authorities.
Dog rescued from San Antonio River may have found forever home, officials say
A dog in San Antonio was saved in more ways than one this week. SAN ANTONIO โ A dog in San Antonio was saved in more ways than one this week. Officials were able to rescue the dog after it got stuck in the San Antonio River. Thatโs when Officer Winckler, with ACS, backup Animal Care Officers and the San Antonio Fire Departmentโs water rescue team came to the rescue. The SAFD rescue team then jumped into the water and swam after the dog, getting her to the other side so she could be lifted onto dry ground.
Animal Care Services reminds โpet parentsโ to make responsible adoption decisions around holidays
SAN ANTONIO โ A gift that is sure to warm the hearts of even the coldest Grinch is a puppy or kitty, however, Animal Care Services wants to remind the public to make responsible pet adoption decisions around the holidays. The city shelter strongly encourages that โpet parentsโ make informed decisions when adopting pets at any time of the year because having a pet is a long-term commitment. According to the shelter, area shelters and rescue organizations have hundreds of adoption ready pets who are invested in placing you with the perfect pet. โVaccinations and spay/neuter surgery are generally included in the adoption fee and many animal agencies will have regular specials during the holidays,โ the shelter said in a statement. There is also a change coming in 2021 when it comes to pet stores in the city.
200 roosters, hens seized on South Side of San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO โ About 200 hens and roosters were seized Tuesday morning by Animal Care Services on two properties on the cityโs South Side. Armed with a search warrant, ACS and the San Antonio Police Department searched the properties in the 300 block of Ansley following complaints from neighbors about an excess amount of roosters. โAnytime thereโs a large number of roosters on a property, we want to check it out, first of all, for violation of the number of animals,โ said ACS interim director Shannon Sims. โBut secondarily, thereโs not a lot of reasons to have a large number of roosters other than fighting.โSims said there appears to be some signs that roosters were being used to fight. A veterinarian is on the scene and will examine the birds, which will be taken to ACS.
ACS says residents who leave pets out in cold could face fines of $300 or more
With temperatures dipping below freezing on Tuesday, the San Antonio shelter says it is best to keep pets inside or place them in an insulated dog house or protective enclosure. A City of San Antonio ordinance states a suitable shelter for a pet must include walls, a roof and an elevated floor. Owners who do not cooperate with ACS officers in sheltering a pet could face a fine. ACS spokesperson Lisa Norwood told KSAT that citation fees, set by a court and not ACS, start around $300. The release states that vulnerable and elderly pets, shorthaired dogs and all cats shouldnโt be left outside during the winter months.
Black โFurdayโ deals at ACS include free, low-cost pet adoptions
SAN ANTONIO โ If all you want for Christmas is a furry, four-legged friend, nowโs the time to adopt. The Animal Care Serviceโs Black Friday, err โFurday,โ deals include free and low-cost pet adoptions from 1 p.m.-7 p.m.Ebony-colored pets will have no placement fees, ACS said in a news release. Animals adopted from ACS include spay/neuter, vaccines, de-wormer and a microchip. Walk-in availability will depend on space in the kennels, ACS says. Those visiting the shelter must wear masks, have their temperatures checked and maintain a social distance from others.
Fox who made its way into San Antonio College office released at Brackenridge Park, ACS says
SAN ANTONIO โ Employees at San Antonio College made an interesting discovery last week when they found a sly fox inside an office resting on top of cabinets. The Animal Care Services said officers were dispatched to the Moody Learning Center at the college, located just north of downtown, to rescue the fox. The animal had somehow made its way into the office by entering through the ceiling, ACS said in a Facebook post on Monday. ACS and campus police were able to move the cubicle to free the fox. It was taken to the Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc. where it was checked out for injuries, but was ultimately released at Brackenridge Park.
San Antonio dog picked up as a stray reunited with owner after 7 years
SAN ANTONIO โ An adopted dog named Honey has been reunited with his owner 7 years after he disappeared. ACS staff contacted the owner who arrived at the shelter as Honey was getting his shots. Lisa Norwood, a spokesperson for ACS, told KSAT that Honeyโs owner cried out for him to see if he remembered her. โHe did and she started hugging and kissing her dog who returned her affection with a wildly wagging tail. โBehold the power of the microchip,โ Norwood said.
San Antonio shelter has highest live release rate in its history, Animal Care Services says
SAN ANTONIO โ San Antonioโs Animal Care Services just announced some of the best news weโve heard all year - the shelter just ended its fiscal year with the highest live release rate for animals in its history. The 92% live release rate made ACS one of the โmost successful animal sheltersโ in Texas, officials said. The live release percentage is determined by all pets that are adopted, rescued, transferred to another shelter or returned to their owners after being lost. Out of 27,194 animals brought in to the shelter, 2,204 were euthanized, the lowest rate in the shelterโs history, according to ACS officials. An ACS report from last year, shows that the shelter had a 90% euthanasia rate in 2004 and in 2011 had a release rate of just 32%.
Halloween can be a scary time for pets. Keep them safe with these tips
SAN ANTONIO โ With Halloween coming up, Animal Care Services has put together a list of tips to help keep your pets safe. They offered the following tips to keep pets safe:Chocolate of any type, even a nibble, can be toxic and potentially fatal to dogs and cats. Talk to your kids about the danger of giving your pet Halloween treats. Keep your pet safe inside for the evening if you're worried trick or treaters may scare or bother your outdoor pet. Get your pet in on the Halloween fun by providing a holiday-themed treat for them to enjoy.
โSonicโ the hedgehog finds new home with San Antonio ACS team member
SAN ANTONIO โ โSonicโ the hedgehog has found a new place to call home in San Antonio. The City of San Antonio Animal Care Services posted on social media Thursday afternoon, saying a resident found the little hedgehog roaming around her yard. ACS staff said Sonic caught the eye of one of their team members and he has since been adopted. โWeโre so happy this little guy will be safe and headed to a new home soon,โ ACS officials said. San Antonio police find quite an unexpected animal near park trails