News Summary
For the second consecutive legislative session, Texas lawmakers have not approved measures aimed at addressing deadly dog attacks and enforcing stricter penalties on irresponsible dog owners. The proposed Ramon Najera Act, named in memory of an Air Force veteran killed in a dog attack, reflects ongoing community concerns. Despite bipartisan support and revisions, local leaders are now considering their own ordinances, as state efforts remain stalled until 2027. Families affected by dog attacks continue to seek urgent reforms to enhance safety.
San Antonio, Texas – For the second consecutive legislative session, Texas lawmakers have failed to approve legislation intended to mitigate deadly dog attacks and to impose stricter penalties on irresponsible dog owners. Despite bipartisan support and revisions endorsed by Governor Greg Abbott, the proposed laws aimed at enhancing the safety of communities remain in limbo.
The legislative measures were initially named the Ramon Najera Act in memory of Ramon Najera, an 81-year-old Air Force veteran killed in a dog attack in 2023 while attempting to protect his wife. Following the tragedy, Mr. Najera’s family has actively sought reforms to strengthen penalties for owners of dangerous dogs and improve dog attack reporting systems. However, efforts to translate these needs into actionable legislation have yet to succeed.
In the previous legislative session of 2023, the Najera Act successfully passed both chambers of the Texas Legislature but was unexpectedly vetoed by Governor Abbott, disappointing many supporters. In 2025, a new version of the bill was introduced, garnering backing from the Governor’s office. However, it too failed to make progress, as it did not receive a committee hearing.
State Representative Liz Campos, who sponsored the Najera Act in 2023, voiced her disappointment at the lack of advancement on this pressing issue. Meanwhile, Republican State Representative John Lujan attempted to introduce a similar bill that included amendments requested by the Governor, yet it was also left pending in committee, unable to pass due to legislative deadlines.
Lawmakers noted that the momentum for dog attack legislation diminished significantly, partially due to the lack of awareness among representatives from other regions about the severity of dog attack incidents in San Antonio. Despite this stagnation in state action, San Antonio neighborhoods continue to face the threat of dog attacks, highlighted by the tragic case of 1-year-old Jiryah Johnson, who was fatality attacked by dogs owned by his babysitter in October 2023.
City councilmembers have expressed their reliance on state legislation to manage dangerous canine situations effectively. As a result of the failed state efforts, local leaders are now being encouraged to pursue their ordinances to address the pressing issue of dog attacks within city limits.
In an attempt to elevate the issue further, State Senator José Menéndez has suggested the creation of a video that details San Antonio’s challenges with dog attacks to better inform fellow legislators about the urgent need for legislation. However, it is important to note that any chances of passing statewide dog attack legislation will not return until 2027.
Families impacted by dog attacks, like the Najeras, find the prolonged wait for legislative action intolerable. Janie Najera, who survived the ordeal that claimed her husband’s life, has expressed sorrow over the fact that meaningful changes have not yet been implemented to prevent similar tragedies from occurring again.
The ongoing lack of legislative action raises questions about the safety of San Antonio residents and the need for more robust mechanisms to hold dog owners accountable. Local governance may have to step in to provide the necessary safeguards until state-level remedies are enacted.
As families, lawmakers, and community leaders continue to grapple with this critical public safety issue, the urgency for solutions remains palpable, underscoring the continuing need for reforms that can prevent further tragedies resulting from dog attacks in the future.
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HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- News4SanAntonio: Texas Fails to Pass Dangerous Dog Legislation
- Wikipedia: Dangerous Dog Laws
- CBS Austin: New Restrictions for Dangerous Dogs
- Google Search: Dangerous Dogs Texas
- KSAT: San Antonio State Senator Discusses Dangerous Dog Legislation
- Google Scholar: Dangerous Dogs Texas
- News4SanAntonio: Bill Tracker for Stricter Dangerous Dog Laws
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dangerous Dogs Texas
- KATV: Refiled Ramon Najera Act Sparks Debate on Dangerous Dog Laws
- Google News: Dangerous Dogs Texas
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
