Comments on: Dog Held for Ransom? It's a Civil Matter, Said Cops http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/ The Neat Side of the Web Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:23:55 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: MoonCake http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-608855 MoonCake Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:48:51 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-608855 don't ever tell someone you love your pet like you would your own children... that's just probable cause to keep the damn thing. don't ever tell someone you love your pet like you would your own children... that's just probable cause to keep the damn thing.

]]> By: Thomas http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-604244 Thomas Mon, 09 Jun 2008 16:20:04 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-604244 That's hilarious. That's hilarious.

]]> By: SarahW http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-604204 SarahW Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:38:03 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-604204 Conversion of property and extortion are crimes everywhere. WTF? Conversion of property and extortion are crimes everywhere. WTF?

]]> By: Scotchdrnkr http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-603913 Scotchdrnkr Mon, 09 Jun 2008 12:36:29 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-603913 Animals are considered personal property by most laws. Therefore if the dog in question is considered worth more than 250 (in my city) it would be considered a felony to keep the dog without the owners permission. Unless they are a sanctioned shelter. The finder has the right to ask for compensation for any cost involved with the dog but thats all. If you can consider the dog worth more than the minimum for a felony stealing charge in you city then the police should respond. But it sounds like your police dept. just didn't want to bother with it because they figured once you got the dog back you would not follow up on the charges. So it would be a waste of their time. If you really want you dog back pay the money but keep proof of the payment then sue them in a civil court. Animals are considered personal property by most laws. Therefore if the dog in question is considered worth more than 250 (in my city) it would be considered a felony to keep the dog without the owners permission. Unless they are a sanctioned shelter.
The finder has the right to ask for compensation for any cost involved with the dog but thats all.
If you can consider the dog worth more than the minimum for a felony stealing charge in you city then the police should respond. But it sounds like your police dept. just didn't want to bother with it because they figured once you got the dog back you would not follow up on the charges. So it would be a waste of their time.
If you really want you dog back pay the money but keep proof of the payment then sue them in a civil court.

]]> By: Parker http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-603017 Parker Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:47:21 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-603017 If a pet is like a kid then $200 isn't a lot. Also, it sounds like they might have just found the dog and used it to get money. Anyway, if the cops are busier with crimes against people I have nothing against this. If a pet is like a kid then $200 isn't a lot. Also, it sounds like they might have just found the dog and used it to get money. Anyway, if the cops are busier with crimes against people I have nothing against this.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-602954 Kathy Mon, 09 Jun 2008 02:27:41 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-602954 The CBS station called the sheriff's office and was told that stealing a pet and asking for money IS a crime. The CBS station called the sheriff's office and was told that stealing a pet and asking for money IS a crime.

]]> By: sam http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-602837 sam Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:50:41 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-602837 I think there is more to this story. The victim makes it sound as if the dog was kidnapped, but offered a reward? The dog sounds like it was lost and somebody found it - then wanted to milk to situation. You might be able to make an argument for extortion, but it doesn't sound like theft. Also, I think $50 is a generous reward for finding a lost dog. $200 is a bit ridiculous. I think there is more to this story. The victim makes it sound as if the dog was kidnapped, but offered a reward? The dog sounds like it was lost and somebody found it - then wanted to milk to situation.

You might be able to make an argument for extortion, but it doesn't sound like theft.

Also, I think $50 is a generous reward for finding a lost dog. $200 is a bit ridiculous.

]]> By: David B http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-602680 David B Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:09:05 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-602680 Something is wrong with that police department. This is a known crime where dogs are stolen and rewards are demanded. Theft and extortion. She needs to call the DA's office. Something is wrong with that police department. This is a known crime where dogs are stolen and rewards are demanded. Theft and extortion. She needs to call the DA's office.

]]> By: Neatoramawontsendmeapassword http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-602499 Neatoramawontsendmeapassword Sun, 08 Jun 2008 21:33:32 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-602499 Extortion isn't a crime? Hmmm... Extortion isn't a crime? Hmmm...

]]> By: Taylor http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-602445 Taylor Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:46:35 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-602445 Uhh, what the heck. Last time I checked theft was a crime. Has something changed and no one told me? Uhh, what the heck. Last time I checked theft was a crime. Has something changed and no one told me?

]]> By: Nessia http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-602392 Nessia Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:51:45 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-602392 Wow, I can't believe that. When a man held my cellphone as ransom, the police went to pick up the phone for me and told him he could be arrested for extortion. They laughed and laughed about, they told me it was the highlight of their day. Wow, I can't believe that. When a man held my cellphone as ransom, the police went to pick up the phone for me and told him he could be arrested for extortion. They laughed and laughed about, they told me it was the highlight of their day.

]]> By: CheeseDuck http://www.neatorama.com/2008/06/08/dog-held-for-ransom-its-a-civil-matter-said-cops/comment-page-1/#comment-602339 CheeseDuck Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:16:22 +0000 http://www.neatorama.com/?p=16697#comment-602339 Muahahahah! I will kidnap all the worlds dogs and no one will stop me! Muahahahah! I will kidnap all the worlds dogs and no one will stop me!

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