THIS WEEK AT THE VOICE FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2026
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by Mike Ege
Editor in chief, The Voice of San Francisco
Has San Francisco reached Peak Dog?
It’s a given that the city has developed a rep for being especially dog friendly, with many neighborhood haunts offering water dishes and places for dogs on their sidewalk spaces and patios, and businesses ranging from Amoeba Records on Haight Street to the Apple Store on Chestnut Street allowing customers’ canine companions to browse with them inside. That old saw you hear about the city having more dogs than kids? Well, that’s statistically true, at least as of the last census.
But there is another side to the city’s dalliance with doggos. Dogs have long been valued as both companions and protection by homeless people and others who hang out on the streets, and an often abusive black market has developed around them. Last month, Mission Local noted that dog bite incidents were on the rise, especially in the Tenderloin. Concerned citizens have even set up a website parkgoers can consult to monitor wayward dogs and their negligent owners.
Meanwhile, animal shelters are overcrowded, forcing an increase in the number of dogs put down as well as tensions between the city’s Animal Care and Control (ACC) agency, which is required to care for all surrendered animals in the city, and the nonprofit Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, (SPCA) which in the past had promised to take in overflow dogs from ACC to reduce kill rates but recently has been taking more “adoptable” dogs from outside the city instead of local dogs.
A bill to expand mandatory spaying, neutering, or chemical sterilization to all dogs, rather than just pit bulls in the city, sponsored by District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey, was put on ice for a year in committee on April 9, due to pushback from homeless advocates, dog breeders, and the SPCA. At the committee meeting Dorsey outlined next steps, including taking the next year to consult with the veterinary school at U.C. Davis on policy, and the SPCA has promised to take in to their shelter at least 300 local dogs per year from ACC.
Meanwhile this week, District 2 Supervisor Stephen Sherrill called for a hearing on restarting the Police Department’s Vicious and Dangerous Dog hearing process. While the enforcement unit still exists, there have been no hearings since last July and “dozens” of cases are pending.
“There is no professional who can administer these hearings. And at the same time, dog bites are on the rise,” Sherrill told colleagues during roll call at Tuesday’s full board hearing. He wants to fill the vacant hearing officer position and restart the hearing process, this time to include “certified dog behaviorists, to ensure our process is informed by the latest research in dog behavior.”
Long story short: San Francisco’s canine culture is starting to look less like a point of pride and more like a policy problem — one where the line between companion and liability is getting harder to ignore, and where the question is no longer how dog friendly the city should be, but like in other areas, how responsible it’s willing to become.
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Top News
DOWNTOWN RECOVERY
Lurie calls entrepreneurs to Union Square with $25 million fund
Initiative is part of the mayor’s “Heart of the City” plan to transform downtown
by Erica Sandberg
On April 16, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced a new $25 million Downtown Business Fund (DBF) aimed at reviving the city’s historic yet struggling Union Square area. He called on entrepreneurs and others to open shops in the beleaguered downtown core. The DBF combines grants, low-interest loans, and physical and technical assistance for businesses willing to open or expand in the Union Square area.
CITY HALL
City’s landmarking spree may include once-controversial skyscraper
by Mike Ege
TRANSPORTATION
SFMTA budget raises Muni fares, hinges future on November ballot measures
Muni and cable car fares are set to rise under the approved two-year SFMTA budget, as officials warn service cuts may follow if key November funding measures fail.
by Jerold Chinn
Quote of the week
“Sometimes the fastest way to hurry up is to learn how to slow down.”
—Elizabeth Statmore on how the new new math requires new learning skills, in “Learning how to learn takes patience.“
Nomi toon
In Case You Missed It
A&E
San Francisco Art Fair 2026 pushes back on the doom loop
Strong attendance, thoughtful programming, and a robust presence of local artists suggested a Bay Area arts scene more resilient than the headlines imply.
by Taylor Snowberger
EDUCATION
San Francisco’s puzzling strategy to improve attendance
The district’s latest assessment of how well SFUSD is reducing chronic absences makes me see red. In the world of education, red is the color schools use to indicate something is not working.
by Carol Kocivar
A&E
Chiharu Shiota’s ‘Two Home Countries’ at the Asian Art Museum marks her first solo exhibition in the Bay Area
Acclaimed artist transforms yarn, objects, and space into an immersive meditation on belonging.
by Sharon Anderson
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EVENTS
Out and about April 23–29, 2026
What to do this weekend and beyond.
By Lynette Majer
Managing Editor, The Voice of San Francisco
The weather may not cooperate for all of the outdoor events in the next few days, so pack your hoodie, but there are also indoor options. Here are my picks.
Thursday, April 23
Smuin Contemporary Ballet’s Future Forward features four ballets: Katarzyna Skarpetowka’s Sextette set to music by Bach; Michael Smuin’s Hearts Suite with recorded music by Edith Piaf; Andi Schermoly’s Jane Doe set to music by Beth Anderson, Anna Meredith, Giachonni Rossini, Andreas Scholl, and Antonio Vivaldi; and the world premiere of Amy Seiwert’s Still Falling set to music by Johannes Brahms, performed by concert pianist John Wilson (select performances). Through Sunday at Cowell Theater in Fort Mason. Tickets from $25.
We Players, the site-specific theater group, is currently performing a redux of Psychopomp. The production brings to life mythic creatures that “support our journey through the unknown towards an unforeseeable future.” Six guides will charm, provoke, or comfort the audience as they move through successive stations, ranging from silly to solemn. 5, 5:30, and 6 p.m. at the Botanical Garden through Friday. Tickets from $30.
Friday, April 24
Celebrate Earth Day at Jefferson Square Park with gardening (tree planting, wildflower seed spreading, weeding, mulching) and trash pickup. This park has been vandalized in the past and would greatly appreciate your support. Bring your favorite dessert, if you like, to share with your friends and neighbors to celebrate your efforts. 10 a.m. to noon.; meet at the Eddy and Gough street entrance steps. Free, register here.
Today starts Bay Area Dance Week, 10 days of free dance events celebrating our diverse dance community, from hip-hop to folk, Bollywood, ballet, West African, and lots more. At the kickoff celebration, Rhythm and Motion will lead One Dance, designed for all participants to perform together. Grab your lunch and join in at Jessie Square at noon. Free
Bay Area-based Torani, originally founded in North Beach in 1925, is kicking off its nationwide pop-up Treat Truck tour to identify America’s favorite flavor at Embarcadero Plaza today. Guests can take an interactive quiz that will translate their taste preferences into a custom-crafted beverage, as well as sample the Flavor of the City and the Flavor of the Year. Noon to 7 p.m. through Saturday (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.). Free admission.
Saturday, April 25
Grab the pupster and head to the 19th Annual Dog Fest with all kinds of events from a costume contest and trick competition and more, including the (openly corrupt) best in show, where you can buy your way in for $50 to raise money for McKinley Elementary School. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Duboce Park. Free admission.
Sunday, April 26
Spend Sunday in the park at the opening concert of the Golden Gate Park Band’s summer concert series. The band has been presenting concerts since 1882 and collaborates with various ethnic, community, and arts groups to feature dance troupes, singers, and guest artist ensembles. 1 p.m. at the Spreckels Temple of Music/Bandshell. Free admission.
If you’re looking for some art, check out the Spring Shipyard Artists Open Studios at Hunters Point, where over 100 artists will open their studios to visitors for a firsthand look. Enjoy live music, great food, kiddo activities, and an art auction. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday at Hunters Point Shipyard and Islais Creek Studios. Free; reserve here.
Nothing quite says spring like Opening Day on the Bay and the decorated boat parade, which starts off the shore of Crissy Field and follows the city front to Fort Mason. Free viewing or ride the official committee boat for the best viewing, which includes a Continental breakfast and lunch. Tickets from $60.
Listen to our podcasts
- Three cheers for Kaiser, the “debate” among the candidates for governor is tonight and a pitch to subscribe and contribute to the Voice of San Francisco and beyond
- Changes continue in the race for governor, more debate over new housing, and SFUSD on history and ethnic studies
- John Crabtree on Proposition A and the real needs of San Francisco
- Housing, parking, and the future of cars and traffic are front and center in the debate over our future
- Plus more (and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible or everywhere else you get your favorite podcasts)
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