Man baits neighbor’s pets, keeps them until money is offered & then collects reward. What should I do?

Question

I recently found out a scam my neighbor has been pulling. He baits and captures pets from all over town & keeps them in his house until he sees an ad in the paper / signs on telephone poles for a reward. He then collects the reward by returning the pet.

I discovered this as I stopped over unannounced and he had 2 dogs & a cat he attempted to hide. I asked what the hell is going on & he told me he’s capturing about 25 pets a year & collecting rewards upward of $500.

Making matters more dramatic, he said he now returns cats wearing a sling & tells the unsuspecting cat owner he fell from a tree while ‘rescuing’ it. The people buy it 100%. He even gets extra money for supposed medical bills. Even worse, the townspeople think he is a HERO and even nicknamed him ‘pet dective’ & invite him to family picnics, etc.

I thought something was odd as he found pets all these years.

If I tell the police, he’ll know it is me. Clearly, a person doing this is nuts and I fear repercussion.

Answer 1

Actually the same thing happened where I lived years ago. Someone called the SPCA and they got all over it. They presented evidence to the police. The police got involved checked medical records, saw the guy had a job (so all the time in the world to look for animals?), checked bank records, car payments, etc. etc. The guy got something like 40 counts of fraud, trespassing and all sorts of things. They locked him up and gave him 20 years.

As another said he will get busted eventually. So odds are he will think it was you. So he didn't even try to make an excuse but instead told you? Yes he has problems and actually might want to get caught...... his thrill is getting away w. it and the money is icing on the cake.

The other problem is when he gets caught. You knew about it and said nothing. He could in order to cover his butt before caught tell others that you know all about it. That way it ensures that you won't talk.

My bet is you should hit the animal rights websites and ask for advice.

Answer 2

He doesn't have receipts for the pets' medical bills, does he? One way to bust him out with the cops, because they are going to talk with the pets' owners.

I would report this to the police, this is awful. And were you thinking of moving, perhaps?

For you see, if he does get busted, he's gonna think it's you anyway, even if you had nothing to do with it. And like another poster stated, he's probably told several people so it's just a matter of time.

You know it's the right thing to do anyway, or you wouldn't have written this.

So you might as well report it, hey there may even be a Crimestopper award for you (ah, the delicious irony of that)!

Answer 3

You could anonymously leave a tip. Possibly drop a hint to a neighbor to stop by on a surprise visit and that could expose the scam. You have to stop this guy, he doesn't sound like a man that I would want in my community. Little things such as pet-napping could lead to many more horrible things!

Answer 4

If I read your letter correctly you already know what you should do, but are afraid of the possible repercussions. Have you considered reporting him, telling the police your fears, and asking them to wait until they catch him in the act. My advice? You know the man is a fraud and worse, so do what you believe is the right thing to do.

Answer 5

I'd tell the police...and tell them you are worried about retaliation. It's not a perfect answer obviously but it's the best.

You could consider telling the pet owners (supposing you could find out who they were) or the local media (assuiming they had any interest) but it still may be linked to you.

Then again, if he's blabbing to you he's probably blabbing to others...It doesn't sound like you two are particularly close.

Answer 6

try videotaping him and dont be afraid to give the tape to the police, ask to remain anonymous. Keep your pets safe and indoors as much as possible.

Answer 7

Don't be such a chicken. Tell the police. What this guy is doing is seriously illegal in so many ways.

Answer 8

you should tell the police any ways it would be the right thing to do.pepole love there pets and will keep paying him to get them back

Answer 9

Call the ASPCA/SPCA in your city and tell them what the neighbor is doing.

Ask if they can send someone to investigate the situation.

Be sure you tell the ASPCA exactly what the man is doing.

If you can photograph him "in the act," that it is more evidence for the ASPCA/SPCA (whichever one is in your city).

Good Luck.

Answer 10

just tell the police!
its not like he'll do anythign, he'll go 2 jail
amd he has no proof that it was u