Free-speech group says San Antonio Animal Care Services violating First Amendment

A free-speech watchdog group is accusing San Antonio’s Animal Care Services Department of violating the First Amendment by deleting Facebook comments critical of the department’s euthanasia practices. In a Tuesday letter, the nonpartisan Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) alleges ACS deleted 400 comments on its Facebook page this May. About 80% of those deleted comments criticized the department's euthanasia policies, according to FIRE Director of Public Advocacy Aaron Terr. “That’s very strong evidence that the agency is targeting speech that is critical and targeting speech based on the viewpoint expressed,” Terr told the Current.