SAN ANTONIO — Two German Shepherds have been classified as aggressive following a violent incident in the Dellview neighborhood.
A resident, who asked not to be identified for fear of retaliation, let her dogs out into the gated backyard during her lunch break from work in late November.
“When I heard the commotion I ran outside and that’s when I saw the German Shepherds,” she said.
The two large dogs were jumping over her fence, bounding toward Roxie, Bailey, and Cowboy—much smaller dogs.
She ran to try and help them, but it was too late.
“It’s just a dog to you, but it’s my baby. I don’t have kids, this was my baby,” she said.
Roxie and Bailey passed away, and a toy poodle named Cowboy is now recovering after several surgeries.
His owner says he’s doing much better now.
“His recovery is just a miracle compared to what he went through and how he was those first couple of days in the hospital,” the Dellview resident said.
After an affidavit was filed and reviewed, Animal Care Services confirmed the two German Shepherds are now ranked at the highest level for an aggressive dog, according to city code.
Level 3 Aggressive dogs are described as “a dog, while unrestrained, kills or causes the death of any domestic animal or livestock.”
The owner was given seven citations for the attack.
This aggressive classification requires the dogs to be microchipped, have signs posted on their fence, be muzzled during walks, and have measures in place to keep them on their property.
But the resident whose dogs were attacked says she doesn’t feel 100% safe yet.
“I think they’re strong enough,” she says of the guidelines. “I don’t think they’re going to be enforced.”
She said if they aren’t enforced, that’s a big risk to the community.
“It’s only a matter of time before somebody—an actual person or child—gets hurt,” she said.
Yolanda Garza, another Dellview resident, has also raised concerns about aggressive dogs in the area.
Two more registered aggressive dogs live near her.
“If a dog comes at me that size… I’m your next victim,” Garza said, noting that residents are forced to carry sticks on walks or avoid going outside.
Garza says the dogs often escape their fence, despite the aggressive restrictions.
When she calls the city. Garza says she doesn’t feel a sense of urgency from 311 or ACS.
“You tell me to take pictures, call the police, call you all. How many times do I have to do this?” Garza said, recounting a recent conversation with ACS.
We asked District 1 Councilwoman Sukh Kaur why residents should have confidence in this system if aggressive dogs continue to get out.
Kaur says we’ve got a new ACS director, steeper fines for irresponsible owners, and a new initiative:
“Partnering with ACS to make sure that there’s increased drive-bys to ensure that if there is a loose dog or a dangerous dog that they’re cited in the proper way,” Kaur explained.
She says those drive-bys have already started.
District 1 is also preparing a program to help residents mend their fences in hopes of keeping dogs on their own properties.
“We’ve purchased some of that fencing, and we’re going to go to the Dellview neighborhood particularly and offer it to folks if there are gaps in that fencing that need to be supported,” Kaur explained.
ACS re-iterates the importance of responsible pet ownership in their statement about these developments:
Following a thorough investigation into the death of two dogs in the Dellview neighborhood, Animal Care Services has officially classified a pair of German Shepherd Dogs as “Aggressive, Level 3.” This classification is the highest ordinance designation for dogs who engage in unprovoked aggression against other animals.
The animals were accused of killing a neighbor’s two dogs late last year while they were roaming. The owner failed to contain his dogs, ignoring his legal obligation to manage their behavior. In addition to the Aggressive dog designation, ACS investigators also gave the owner seven citations connected to his dogs roaming and attacking his neighbor’s pets.
ACS strongly reminds pet owners that responsible pet care must never be an “after the fact” consideration. It’s a basic, ongoing responsibility to ensure laws are followed and dogs stay within their owner’s property. Failing to do so is not only irresponsible but illegal, and owners should anticipate legal and financial consequences for their reckless negligence. Aggressive dog laws and resources can be found at: www.saacs.info/doglaws.
Right now, there are 58 registered ‘aggressive dogs’ within San Antonio city limits.
- Six are considered Level 1
- 23 are classified as Level 2
- 29 are considered Level 3, not including the two recent designations
- There are 154 dogs registered as dangerous
You can check for dangerous or aggressive dogs in your area here.
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