SAN ANTONIO – Right now, town doesn’t have a map or database so that you can see the place harmful dogs are.
That’s why we created this map so that you can use, with the places of registered harmful dogs within the metropolis and what number of are at every location.
Most council members we have spoken to say they’d assist town rolling out a map, database, or registry with this similar kind of data.
Many say it is only a matter of logistics and legalities.
Several different cities and counties in Texas are already utilizing sources like this.
Here are examples in dallas, Austinand Harris County.
On Wednesday, the I-Team spoke with Councilwoman Melissa Cabello Havrda, who runs the Public Safety Committee.
She says privateness is essential, however having a useful resource for folks to test on harmful canine places might have an effect.
“If it had been to forestall one in all these maulings which have occurred, or prevented future maulings, I believe it is price it, and we’ve to gauge that,” Havrda mentioned.
When we spoke to ACS in regards to the thought, they instructed us they’re working with their authorized division to determine what and the way a lot they’d be capable to submit publicly.
“At least from our perspective proper now, as a result of it is not a conviction, there are questions as to the legality of me posting an individual’s private info, personally identifiable info, publicly and not using a conviction,” ACS Director Shannon Sims mentioned. “We have explored some potential options just like little one pedophilia and issues like that, having the ability to have a web site that exhibits the place these dogs are.”
Havrda says that would improve accountability.
“I believe it places the proprietor slightly bit on discover, proper? If you are on that registry, in case your canine is on that registry, I might be slightly extra cautious,’ Havrda mentioned. “I’d be nervous about my dogs getting out, or inflicting any injury to to or harm to folks.”
Havrda says the registry may very well be a part of the bigger resolution to San Antonio’s harmful canine drawback.
But there are a number of different elements that additionally should be in place.
“Responsible possession, correct coaching, perhaps this registry, however public training, after which extra importantly than any of that, the enforcement of any ordinances or any laws which are on the market,” Havrda mentioned.
Because not everybody has access to the web, she says town might put the registry at every subject workplace or at City Hall.
She says that is one thing she’d like to debate with ACS at a Public Safety Committee assembly.
District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo additionally says she helps the concept of an accessible registry.
As a City, I used to be proud that we prioritized the biggest improve in funding for Animal Care Services to deal with the very actual points that we’ve with harmful roaming dogs all through a rising metropolis like San Antonio. An on-line map or registry of recognized harmful dogs may very well be an efficient software price exploring for San Antonio. If it has confirmed efficient in different municipalities then it might function one other software within the animal management toolbox.
We additionally can’t lose sight on the truth that a part of tackling this very critical concern is for pet homeowners to behave responsibly within the care and socialization of their pets. Making positive that your pets are well-trained – particularly in circumstances the place they’re concern aggressive – bringing them inside when fireworks are scheduled to pop, microchipping within the occasion they go lacking, staying updated with vaccinations, spay/neutering companies, and making certain that pets can’t simply escape out of your property are all essential options towards this drawback.
