EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso City Council voted Tuesday to adopt two new ordinances aimed at preventing dog attacks and improving safety for residents, pets and Animal Protection Officers.

During the Jan. 20 meeting, council members approved adding two new classifications — Aggressive Dogs and Vicious Dogs — to the city’s animal laws. Representatives Cynthia Boyar Trejo and Lily Limón were absent from the vote.

City officials said the changes are designed to close gaps in existing ordinances, particularly involving animal-to-animal attacks and dogs that pose a risk while roaming freely.

“This was designed with that gap of the law in mind for animal-to-animal exposures,” Assistant City Attorney Carlos L. Armendariz said. “We designed it to keep our pets and community safe from animals that have negative tendencies or behaviors.”

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