Dog Theft Laws

Dog theft is an emotional process for the owner who has lost his dog. An emotional connection to the animal severs, leaving the owner and the dog feeling powerless and hopeless. Stolen dogs generate profit when they're given to dealers, laboratories and even circuses. Dog theft is a crime, and the police can help you find your dog. Do not give up hope; there are organizations that can help you, especially if your dog is tattooed or has a microchip in it.

  1. Dog Theft

    • Dog theft, in many states, is a theft of personal property. In the United States, thefts by dealers or groups that turn the stolen dogs over to research laboratories fall under the Animal Welfare Act, which designates what is humane and how the animals should be treated by laboratories, exhibitions, during transport, and by dealers.

    State Laws

    • In many states, loss of personal property without the consent of the owner, by deception, by threat or by intimidation, is theft. The theft of a dog should be handled by police. In Ohio, the theft of a dog is a felony of the third degree.

    Theft Suspicion

    • If you suspect that someone has stolen your dog, contact the police, the dog warden service, the Petlog reunification service (if your dog has a microchip in it) or the National Dog Tattoo Registry (if your dog has been tattooed).