Question
My dog was stolen from me, but I was made to believe she ran away and I was lured all directions chasing after her trying to find her. Later on, I found out that she was in an animal shelter the whole time. At the time I didn't have means to make a post online. I was physically searching for her. I now can get online regularly and was able to find my dog, but she was adopted. I've made three attempts to contact the people who adopted her, but no one has contacted me back. I want my dog back. She was stolen from my yard. I believe it was a distraction so my dog would be adopted. The previous owner's roommate kept trying to get my dog but couldn't because I involved legal. How can I get my dog back?
Answer
People who believe their animal was stolen or being wrongfully withheld (or both) can contact the police and can sue (replevin action) to try to get the animal returned. There are laws throughout the country which require shelters to hold lost and stray animals for a specified number of days before rehoming (the number varies throughout the country) in order to give the animal’s owner an opportunity to retrieve the animal. I hope you all consider what is best for this dog going forward.
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