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San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) is turning to artificial intelligence to better assess its progress in reducing the city's roaming-dog population.

Why it matters: There are signs the city could be turning the corner on addressing roaming dogs — typically those with owners but that run loose — but they remain an issue, even after the City Council increased fines for roaming dogs in 2024 following two fatal canine attacks.

By the numbers: A 2019 ACS study estimated more than 34,600 dogs were roaming San Antonio at any given time, with 80% to 90% believed to be owned pets.

• The city's strategic plan called for studies every two years, but a subsequent effort involving UT San Antonio and St. Mary's University did not produce usable data.

The latest: ACS is spending just over $99,000 to partner with San Antonio-based Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) on a new survey.

• Researchers will revisit the same 32 areas surveyed in 2019, using smartphone cameras mounted to vehicles and AI-powered software to identify unrestrained dogs.
• The technology uses AI that is trained to recognize patterns in images, allowing researchers to identify dogs captured on camera, SwRI engineer Mike Koets tells Axios.
• Automated and human reviewers will analyze footage to determine whether dogs are unrestrained or supervised, and whether they appear to be owned pets or strays.

What they're saying: "We use the findings to determine whether or not what we're doing is working," ACS director Jon Gary tells Axios.

Zoom out: The city has nearly doubled its animal control field staff in recent years as part of broader efforts to reduce roaming dogs.

• Roaming-dog service calls are trending downward, while fiscal year 2026 saw the fewest dogs killed on roadways and collected by the city in a decade, Gary says.

Between the lines: Gary said the survey wasn't prompted by a spike in complaints — though roaming dogs remain a concern amid rising numbers of dog bites.

• Reported dog bites increased from 2,696 in 2020 to 3,149 in 2025, a 17% increase. Severe bite cases rose from 134 to 511 over the same period, an increase of approximately 281%, according to ACS data analyzed by the Express-News.
• Changes in how severe bites are classified may account for some of the increase.

What's next: Fieldwork is expected to continue through December, with results expected before year's end, according to Gary. The findings will be made public.

In-person early voting turnout surpassed 2018 levels in four of Texas' five largest counties ahead of tomorrow's closely watched election.

Why it matters: The figures don't indicate which candidates are benefiting, but suggest voter enthusiasm is rivaling or surpassing that seen during the 2018 Senate race, when Republican Ted Cruz narrowly defeated Democrat Beto O'Rourke.

By the numbers: More than 7.1 million Texans voted early in person through Friday, the close of early voting, representing nearly 37.6% of registered voters, according to data from the Texas Secretary of State.

• Including mail ballots, the total climbs to more than 7.4 million, or 38.9% of registered voters.

Zoom in: In Bexar County, 36.6% of registered voters cast ballots early in person, up from 34.6% in 2018.

• Tarrant County saw the largest jump among the five largest counties, climbing from 38.5% in 2018 to 41.2% this year.
• Harris and Travis counties also exceeded their 2018 turnout rates, while Dallas County dipped slightly from 36.9% to 36.6%.

The big picture: Recent polls have shown tight statewide races, including the race for U.S. Senate between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton, and for governor, between Republican incumbent Greg Abbott and Democrat Gina Hinojosa.

Reality check: High turnout doesn't necessarily favor either party.

What's next: Polls open tomorrow for Election Day 7am-7pm local time across Texas.

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🧀 Venezuelan food and beverage giant Empresas Polar has acquired San Antonio-based Ricos Products, the family-owned company credited with inventing concession stand nachos in 1976. (SA Report)

🗓️ Cumbiaween, the Halloween-themed dance party that was scheduled for Friday at Sunken Garden Theater, was postponed to Nov. 14 due to inclement weather. (Disco Al Fresco)

⚠️ TxDOT will close a turn lane near Frost Bank Center starting tonight, potentially delaying fans heading to Spurs games and other events through much of November. (Express-News 🔑)

San Antonio voters can expect some beats on their way to the ballot box on Election Day.

Why it matters: The national nonprofit DJs at the Polls is bringing local DJs to 79 polling locations across San Antonio and Converse tomorrow to turn voting into a community celebration.

Zoom in: Joshua Irizarry will DJ 3–7pm at S.J. Davis Middle School on the East Side, and Michael Benjamin will play 7–11am at Westwood Terrace Elementary School on the West Side.

Zoom out: The nonpartisan initiative focuses on communities that have historically seen lower voter turnout, and is appealing to young people and first-time voters.

• Launched at a single Philadelphia polling location in 2009, the initiative is expanding to about 5,000 sites across 24 states this year.

Thanks to our editors Astrid Galván and Bob Gee.

🎉 Madalyn is heading out for a birthday celebration close to her heart.

😭 Megan can't believe Halloween is over. She's not ready to take down her decorations yet.