Angola, IN asked in Animal / Dog Law for Indiana

Q: What happens if someone steals someone else's dog?

Im pretty sure my neighbor stole one of my dogs last night, I'm working on getting proof, but I need to know if there is anything I can do about it.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Alexander Florian Steciuch
Alexander Florian Steciuch
Answered
  • Valparaiso, IN
  • Licensed in Indiana

A: Contact the police ASAP and report your dog stolen. If you find out that your dog was not stolen and has simply run away, be sure to update the police and inform them that you found your dog. If you have evidence that it was your neighbor (video recording of them committing the crime, picture of your dog in their house, communications from them telling you they did it), be sure to provide that to the police as well.

As an interim step, if you believe that your dog was stolen, you can call up the local veterinarians around you and ask them to inform you if any new owners come in with a dog that matches your pet's description. If your pet is microchipped, they will most likely contact you once they scan it if an owner that does not match the microchip's information brings the dog in.

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