what to do about dog-nappers

[nostatic]

Ok, I'll try to make a long story short. Ex-wife has two dogs. Well, *had* two dogs. One of them (Boston Terrier with distinctive one blue eye, one brown) liked to get out an take itself for a walk. Dog has tags with her cell phone number and is microchipped. Has gotten out quite a few times, she's gotten calls from neighbors, then picks up the dog. Dog is very friendly.

So painters are at the house working and dog gets out. She notices, goes looking. Can't find him. Gets really distraught. Puts up posters. Gets a call from a woman who pretends to have the dog, then threatens to call the police because she put up illegal posters. That is a side rant...freakin' jerkoff old woman.

Anywho, there is a house renovation going on around the corner from her house. A few days after the dog went missing one of the construction workers told her that one of the other workers took the dog home with him. First worker is worried that he'll get in trouble for ratting out someone so is being cagey about who/where this guy is - evidently lives in the valley. Ex-wife contacts contractor and he says he'll get to the bottom of it. That was beginning of the week. First worker contacts her again and says he'll show her where the guy lives but he doesn't know the address. He wants her to follow him out to the valley, stop a block or so away from the guys house, point it out, then she's on her own. Of course I won't let her do that, and I volunteered to at least find where the guy lives and get some evidence that he's got the dog (photos).

So that's where we stand. Ex indicated there was a reward for return of the dog, so first worker probably wants the reward money, but I told her he gets nothing until the dog is back. This should be a gig for the police but doubt it'll get much traction. I figured if the setup was decent I'd just bring an ex spec-ops buddy with me and we'd retrieve the dog.

So what's the best COA here?

[Laneco]

I'm not always good at this sort of thing, I tend to go beat on doors and shriek like a banshee. I recognize that is unacceptable behavior, yet on occasion, I do find myself reacting like that. Stealing my dog would do it....

Perhaps this would be a better idea; The contractor is aware of the situation, one worker knows who took the dog. Tell the contractor which worker knows where the dog is and have the contractor himself retrieve the dog from the dirty rotten dog thief.

Dog-napping is NOT cool.

angela

[nostatic]

Well, having the contractor take care of this was the hope, but he's behaving like...a contractor. He wasn't on the job site the last two days

I just don't know who the players are yet. I figure that anyone who would steal a dog with tags that is obviously a pet (and signs are up with a reward) likely isn't a "play fair" kinda guy. If I go doing some recon I'll make sure I'm prepared...

[Steve Carlton]

I think vigilante-style is risky. Why not start by asking the police?

[slodave]

I've got some night vision gear and am available in the Valley.

[Tobra]

Speak to the contractor, his painters let the dog out in the first place.

The licensing agencies don't take kindly to people walking off with stuff at jobsites. Dog is property and this is technically theft.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Speak to the contractor, his painters let the dog out in the first place.

The licensing agencies don't take kindly to people walking off with stuff at jobsites. Dog is property and this is technically theft.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. The worker who stole the dog is at a different location/different job. The painters at my ex's house left the gate open, the dog wandered around the corner to the other construction site and a worker there took the dog home.

The dog is a purebred, and if it is worth over $950 (not sure what she paid) it is grand theft - one year in jail.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by slodave

I've got some night vision gear and am available in the Valley.

If you've got a blowgun and darts you're on...

[Danimal16]

Read the Civil Code. A dog is property. If a dog is valued over $400 that is grand theft. Have you called the police? Also, the contractor and the guy that knows where the dog is could have pressure put on them as well. Stop messing with this guy and get it done. Dog thieves are a special bread of target. I HATE em.

[masraum]

Bullet behind the ear

[widgeon13]

Don't mess with the situation, call the police.

[mschuep]

That is f'd up. Who the hell steals a dog? What a lame thing to do.

In hindsight, I would've called the cops when you were talking to the contractor the first time. Like others said, this is a crime. He can't tell you he knows who has it, and then decide to withold that information from the police. I would call the cops the next time you see that contractor on site to come have a chat with him, or just have the cops explain the situation to his boss, who should be able to get ahold of him.

Sucks because he was probably trying to do the right thing, but wtf man, get the dog back!

[T77911S]

come by my house, sooner or later someone will dump a dog, or cat.

[Jeff Higgins]

I take a nap with my dog almost every day.

[Zeke]

Police.They don't always arrest and file charges. Sometimes if the situation gets resolved on it's own after a visit, they will let it go.

I took a car once off a vacant lot. The house on the lot was to be demolished the next day and the car was going in the dump truck with everything else. This was an MG TC. Weeds growing out of the hood louvres.

A detective called me and told me that the owners had showed up after the house was down looking for their car. (The property was not theirs.) He said to call them, make arrangements for the return of the car to them and no charges would be filed. Otherwise, it was going to be auto theft.

They came and got their car out of my garage and never said thanks.

In the same way, the dog could have gotten picked up tags and all with a "misunderstanding."

[Superman]

Originally Posted by masraum

Bullet behind the ear

Yup.

I might case the joint first, to verify that the dog is there. Take many photographs. Write down everything you can remember about your conversaitons with the contractor and the worker who has provided information. Once verified, I might go there, preferably during daylight hours, with a friend (and a concealed weapon, frankly). Two friends, actually. One at my shoulder, and one standing at the curb watching. The friends say absolutely nothing. I ask about the dog, without a hint of anger or confrontation, but I alert the homeowner that the inquiry is not whether or not the dog is present. I know the dog is present, and the homeowner knows I know the dog is present. See if the homeowner simply gives up the dog.

If not, then implement Plan B. Call the police and file a report, including photos and notes, etc. Cite the grand theft statute and report the value of the dog, presence of dog tags, microchip, etc. Write to the contractor, mentioning the licensing agencies and the police report.

If that doesn't work, then you'll have no choice but to invoke the very serious option of having Angela knock on the door.

[stomachmonkey]

See if your vet will lend you a hand held chip reader.

I would not give any notice in case the guy decides to dump the dog.

[nostatic]

Talked with the ex last night. After work today supposedly worker A will show me where dognapper lives. I'll bring a camera to document but if I see the dog I may call the police right then and there and be done with it (before going to the door). Have to play it by ear.

Other option is along the lines of Supe's. I have some of my collaborators/friends who are ex-military and have a fairly commanding presence. They would gladly accompany me on an extraction mission. And since one of them was in Somalia and Fallujah (among other hot spots) I think the dognapper would be at a disadvantage.

[Tobra]

Careful there Todd, John Law does not look kindly on the vigilante stuff. Go there and talk to the guy, if it is anything other than, okay, here is the dog, get the gendarmes.

[billwagnon]

Originally Posted by masraum

Bullet behind the ear

yeah then the lousy contractor is stuck with a dead dog