DEPARTMENT: Police Department, Animal Care Services
DEPARTMENT HEAD: William P. McManus, Chief of Police
Heber Lefgren, Animal Care Services Director
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT: Good Samaritan Provision - Unattended Children & Domestic Animals
SUMMARY:
On September 19, 2018, the San Antonio Police Department and Animal Care Services briefed the Governance Committee on existing Department education and enforcement efforts to prevent child and pet endangerment in response to a Council Consideration Request (CCR) submitted by Councilman Greg Brockhouse. The CCR sought a review of strategies to educate the public on child and pet safety as well as the potential inclusion of Good Samaritan protections for residents that take action to protect children and pets in danger as a result of neglect. In response, the City Attorney's Office conducted a comparative analysis of existing ordinances of major Texas cities and reviewed the City's existing ordinance to consider the possible inclusion of Good Samaritan protection for residents.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
City Efforts
The SAPD and ACS routinely educate the public on the dangers of leaving children and pets unattended in vehicles during the winter and summer months at various community meetings and events, public service announcements through social media and local news outlets. As part of these efforts, the criminal penalties for such acts, as well as tips and strategies to minimize the risk of unintentionally leaving children and pets in vehicles, are also publicized.
Both Departments will review their current strategies and work closely with other City departments and advocacy agencies to support and publicize its efforts to continue to educate the public on this topic and resources that may be available.
Since 2017, the SAPD has responded to a total of 1,525 calls related to children locked in vehicles. The table below provides an ann...
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