Why don't Police Officers get invovled...?

Question

It has been heartbreaking to know that when a family pet (usually a dog) gets stolen the police do nothing. Why?

In Alaska even with proof and evidence a police officer can do nothing but be a civil servent and allow owner to take the dog without confrontation. Just curious as to why not more

Answer 1

Very good question. In FL, our department takes these type of reports seriously. The major problem individuals may have with the police taking a report is proof that the pet was actually stolen and did not run away. Also, in many cases the dog is seldom traceable. Are there any suspects? We have cleared several cases when the victim was able to provide names of individuals who may have a motive to steal the dog. Occasionally, it is a misunderstanding. We have had other reports where a neighbor suddenly has a dog that looks just like yours. We have gone and inquired of the dog's appearance at the house. Some have been recovered very quickly when the neighbor admits that they "found" the pet wondering the neighborhood.

I will admit that it may be difficult to prove that the dog was in fact stolen when it is not an AKC registered or other type of valuable dog. Don't give up hope. Keep your neighbors informed of your dog's disappearance. Rewards seldom work as most caring people will help you anyway. Take some recent pictures with you and go out to your neighborhood. Somebody may know something. Pray and keep the faith!

Answer 2

Pets are considered "personal property" in most locals and the cases that revolve around stolen pets are handled the same as cases that revolve around other types of stolen property, like tools, bikes, etc. It is investigated the same way and prosecuted the same way. Some states have special laws inplace that cover stolen livestock, and if your pet cow or pig happens to get stolen, it may receive special attention.

Answer 3

It's a crime here in Virginia for sure. I live in the southwestern part of the state, where it's small cities and rural settings. The cops at least look into these things here (proving the dog didn't run away and all is a different can of worms).

Answer 4

Most U.S. police departments are pathetically undermanned and are forced to concern themselves mainly with those crimes and incidents that effect the most people. In the city where I live, the police won't even actively investigate car thefts, let alone stolen pets.

Answer 5

What are we supposed to do?
If there are no witnesses or evidence how are we supposed to find the dog?
If you can't think of a way to find your dog, how are we supposed to? There is no magic in police work. If there are no informants or evidence to go on it is very difficult to find stolen property (dog or otherwise).

Answer 6

I would say that you local department is not doing thier job.

First a dog is property, and can have alot of value. It if it really stolen, (not merley run away) it is a crime.

In our areas they may if theft is really proven.

Answer 7

A lot of the time, there is nothing to go on. Most cops do not want to be bothered with something so small (to them).

Answer 8

listen, the cops arent in the business for anyone but themselves. Its about controlling other people. If they dont see an opportunity for them to manipulate your life, they dont care. I was driving once and didnt get 20 feet out of my apartment complex when I saw 2 police cars. One parked on the side of the road and another one coming across the intersection driving REAL SLOW and with NO lights at ALL on. I was confused and wondered what was going on, and what was should I do I was basically right at the stop sign but my tires were 'over the line' because I was so distracted and concerned by their weird behavior. I mean, I've never seen cops drive around without lights on before, I was wondering to myself if I should stop or stop and turn off the car when suddenly their actual siren lights come on, and they approach me with hands on their guns and flashlights. They demanded to know "where did you INTEND to stop" knowing about word games I instantly realized this was whats known as a LEADING question. If I had answered "at the stop sign" he would have claimed that I was NOT in control of the vehicle because I had in fact stopped inches beyond the sign (due to being distracted by their behavior) so instead I said "Intend? Right here, right where Im stopped at. RIGHT HERE" and saw that he realized that I wasnt a fool and after a sincerely odd almost schitzoid switch of his behavior he proceeds in an odd voice to tell me something about my car (I honestly dont know cause I was distracted by his sudden switch to some odd drill instructer voice and his pointing here and there) and then he proceeds to tell me that I probably dont make much money and couldnt afford a ticket, could I? And let me go. THIS sincerely affected my belief that cops are here to help us. And years later, when I was in a car accident on the highway when I had to hit my brakes and THAT action caused my car to suddenly spin around with moving traffic all around me (scared the hell out of me) and I impacted another vehicle,The other driver was great and realized that this was something that just "happens" and we were even discussing if you can believe this, her hiring me for some art she would like me to do because while waiting for troopers to arrive we had toime to chat...anyhow a state trooper arrived, and acted as if I was interrupting the best lunch he had ever had in his life, to come and 'deal with' me and my horrendous accident...Even the other driver looked at him as if he was treating me oddly. He basically MADE me place my drivers liscense into the palm of his hand instead of taking it from my hand as I reached it out to him, he glared at my hand and then to HIS hand to tell me that I had to place it into his palm like some little child giving him something. I couldnt believe it. I was just in a car accident and he is playing a power game with me?!!!! COPS and the like, are worthless control freaks who want nothing but to excercise their control over the public. THESE are the poeple in highschool that we all ended up hating. BULLIES. THATS who becomes police officers, those who enjoyed controlling others back in high school. makes me SICK. And do you know, on a side note, that whenever aniaml control is notified of a carcass in the streets, they DO NOT COME And pick it up, they just let it turn into smelly blowing in the wind, FUR....No one who is the the position of SERVING the PUBLIC gives a damn. Oh, and my final experience with the police that seemed odd, is I called about kids stealing fruit from my backyard trees, I WATCHED Them do it, and I have security cameras- the cop informed me that unless THEY saw them doing the action LIVE that there was nothing they could do about it. My mouth just DROPPED! I said, so even though I have security cameras.....and she said hey, I dont make the law. Well why the hell should anyone call you guys anyhow is my feeling now about it. I bet you idiot cops are the ones who gave me the 2 thumbs down on this. Its not my fault you guys suck at your so called profession. Its no wonder you have a stereotype of being donut eating fat asses. Youre worthless.