Dog bites in S.F. are rising. But in the Tenderloin, they're skyrocketing.

"Just walking down the sidewalk, Sullivan told the 20 or so attendees, he often thought, 'I got to be prepared to jump out of the way for some of these dogs.' In the previous four months, over 27 percent of the department's dog-bite reports took place in the Tenderloin police district."

"One day, as he walked down the street with a colleague, 'a dog just jumped up and grabbed him by the arm,' Rozell said. While Rozell waited for medics and police to arrive, the pitbull, despite being on a leash, 'lashed' and 'snapped' at multiple passersby, including a senior."

"If you have more people on the street with dogs, they're not getting fed as often, not getting the naps that they normally take. I just imagine the dogs are probably more irritable than normal, too."

The Tenderloin neighborhood faces a significant dog-bite crisis, with over 27 percent of the police department's dog-bite reports occurring in this district over a four-month period. Community leaders and police officers have documented multiple incidents of aggressive dogs attacking residents and staff members. Contributing factors include increased street populations with dogs that may receive inadequate care and feeding, making them more irritable. In response, the Tenderloin police station launched "Paw Patrol," a dog-enforcement operation in November, with a designated dog lieutenant leading efforts. Officers conduct patrols to educate residents about leash laws and dog registration requirements, issuing citations for violations.

Read at Mission Local