Having a pet stolen can be an extremely upsetting and stressful situation. Many people consider their pets to be members of the family, so having them taken away unlawfully is understandably traumatic. When a pet goes missing, some owners may wonder if they can or should call 911 to report the theft and try to get help recovering their animal. Here is a quick look at whether calling 911 is an appropriate response if someone steals your dog.
Can You Technically Call 911 if Your Dog is Stolen?
Generally speaking, yes, you can call 911 to report a stolen pet. 911 dispatchers are responsible for sending police, fire, and medical responders to emergency situations. There is no rule that says they cannot take calls about stolen pets. So technically, if your dog is stolen, you can pick up the phone and dial 911 to alert the authorities.
However, just because you can call 911 does not necessarily mean you should. 911 is intended for reporting emergencies — situations involving threats to human health, safety, and welfare that require urgent response. A stolen pet is upsetting, but usually not a true emergency. For this reason, calling 911 to report a stolen pet, while allowable, is generally discouraged except in certain circumstances.
When Calling 911 May Be Appropriate
There are some situations in which calling 911 about a stolen pet would be considered appropriate:
- You witness the theft as it is occurring and there is an opportunity for police to intervene immediately
- You have reason to believe the thief is still in the area with your pet and police have a chance to intercept
- Your pet is stolen along with other possessions in a robbery or burglary situation
- Your pet needs urgent medical care and reporting the theft swiftly could aid in recovering them faster
In cases like these where the theft just occurred, the perpetrator may still be close by, other crimes occurred, or the animal is at serious medical risk, calling 911 would be warranted. The dispatcher may even prioritize the call higher knowing the time sensitivity.
When to Use the Non-Emergency Line Instead
For most stolen pet situations, calling the police non-emergency phone number is better than 911. This line should be used when:
- The theft did not just occur and time has already passed
- You have no indication the thief is still in the vicinity
- Your pet was stolen but no other crime occurred
- Your pet is not in need of immediate veterinary care
Calling the non-emergency number allows you to report the crime and get a case started without occupying 911 resources meant for urgent matters. The police will still respond by taking information and filing a report. The case will also be handed over to animal control or investigators. However, using 911 is specifically discouraged by most law enforcement agencies when the incident does not require immediate response.
What Happens When You Call 911 to Report a Stolen Pet?
If you do end up calling 911 because your pet was stolen, here are some things you can expect:
- Information Gathering – The 911 dispatcher will ask you for the location of the theft, details about your pet, description of the perpetrator if available, and other data relevant to responding officers.
- Officer Dispatch – If officers are available to respond immediately, the 911 center will send police to your location or the theft location right away. However, this depends on officer proximity and availability.
- Case Documentation – All details of the theft will be documented in a police report that can be used later in the investigation. You will need to provide as many specifics as possible.
- Transfer – Most agencies will transfer your call to animal control or a non-emergency desk after initial documentation. They will then continue handling the stolen pet case.
When you call 911 for a stolen pet, the goal is to get the theft on the record as quickly as possible in case fast action is feasible. But the 911 responder will also want to divert the call to the appropriate non-urgent personnel as soon as initial details are collected.
911 Response Times Vary
Keep in mind that how quickly 911 dispatches officers depends on many factors. Availability, proximity, call load, and other emergencies happening around the same time all impact response. Calling 911 does not guarantee immediate urgent response or that officers will be able to search for and recover your pet right away. Manage your expectations when calling.
What is the Appropriate Way to Report a Stolen Pet?
To make sure you are using 911 properly, follow these tips for reporting pet theft:
- Call 911 only if the theft just happened or immediate response could make a difference
- Provide detailed information to the dispatcher including pet description, thief description if possible, location, time stolen, etc.
- Work to transfer the call from 911 to non-emergency personnel as soon as initial documentation is complete
- If time has passed or 911 response is unlikely, call the police non-emergency line instead to file a report
- Follow up with animal control about your case and stay in touch in case your pet is located
- Utilize other lost pet recovery resources like shelters, vet offices, pet detectives, microchip registration, and online lost pet databases
The most effective approach involves timely police reporting plus activation of pet recovery community resources. Do your best to gather facts the police need while also taking steps to get the word out about your missing animal.
What Kind of Information Do the Police Need for a Stolen Pet Report?
To investigate your pet theft case and boost chances of recovering your animal, the police will need certain key details, whether you call 911 or the non-emergency line. Information to have ready includes:
- Your contact information (name, address, phone numbers, email)
- Type of pet stolen (dog, cat, bird, etc.)
- Breed, age, sex, size, color, markings, other descriptors
- Name of pet
- Microchip number or other ID if pet is tagged
- Photo or video of your pet
- Collar or tag descriptions
- Location, date, and time the pet was stolen
- Location pet was last seen if different than theft location
- How the theft happened (break-in, grabbed from yard, etc.)
- Details on the thief if witnessed
- Other relevant circumstances (injury, medical issues, etc.)
The more identifiable information provided to police, the better chance they have of recognizing your pet and being able to recover them. Even small details could end up being crucial, so include anything you can think of.
Follow Police Instructions
Also be sure to follow any instructions given by the 911 dispatcher or non-emergency personnel about preserving theft locations, not disturbing evidence, coordinating in-person meetings, filing supplemental reports, etc. Not following police procedures could hinder the investigation.
Are There Penalties for Misusing 911?
While calling 911 about a stolen pet may technically be allowable in some jurisdictions, doing so in a non-emergency situation or when other response options are more appropriate could still result in consequences:
- Service Charges – Some locales will bill you for utilizing 911 services for a non-emergency issue. These fees help recoup costs.
- Warning – Law enforcement may give you a warning about improper use of 911 if it continues happening.
- Charges – Excessively misusing 911 for non-urgent issues can sometimes result in fines or criminal charges, generally at the discretion of local law enforcement.
- Blocking – Repeated 911 abuse may lead to you being blocked from calling except in true emergencies.
While reporting a stolen pet to 911 every once in awhile likely will not lead to penalties, developing a pattern of it can get you in trouble. Use proper discretion to avoid consequences.
Can You Call 911 if Someone Stole Your Cat?
The same general guidelines apply if your stolen pet is a cat rather than a dog. Technically, you could call 911 if your cat goes missing due to theft. However, it is still best reserved for situations requiring immediate response, like:
- You witness the theft in progress
- Your cat was stolen along with other crimes
- Your cat needs urgent veterinary care
- You can provide info allowing possible identification and interception of the thief
For non-emergency stolen cat reports, call the police non-urgent line instead of 911. You will still get assistance with documentation and recovery efforts. As with dogs, be ready to provide detailed identifying information about your missing feline.
Extra Recovery Tips for Cats
Since cats can be more challenging than dogs to recover when lost, consider these extra tips:
- Make sure your cat’s microchip is registered and up to date
- Provide info if your cat needs medication or has health issues
- Note if your cat is skittish, fearful, or prone to hiding
- Set humane traps with food near the theft location in case your cat returns
- Be prepared to search day and night, as cats often only move at night
- Bring along your cat’s favorite toys or treats to help attract them if found
Reporting Exotic Pet Theft to 911
When it comes to exotic pets like snakes, lizards, turtles, spiders, or birds, the same 911 consideration applies. Unless the situation necessitates urgent response, use the non-emergency police number to report your stolen exotic animal.
Be prepared to provide:
- Type of exotic pet stolen
- Detailed physical description
- Information on behavioral tendencies
- Dietary needs
- Ideal habitat conditions
- Veterinary details and medical history
- Documentation of legal ownership
The more facts you can give, the better, since exotic pets are more difficult for law enforcement to identify. Also be ready to answer questions about proper housing, care requirements, handling techniques, risks to people, or other considerations necessary to safely recover your exotic pet.
When to Call 911 About a Stolen Pet: Key Takeaways
Dealing with pet theft can be extremely stressful, but think carefully before involving 911. To summarize best practices:
- Technically you can call 911 for a stolen pet, but only do so for true emergencies requiring urgent response
- For non-emergency pet theft reports, call the police non-urgent line instead of 911
- Make sure to provide detailed identifying information to aid in recovery efforts
- Follow up frequently with police and animal control during the investigation
- Utilize all available resources to help locate and retrieve your stolen pet
- Repeatedly misusing 911 for non-emergencies could result in fees, warnings, or penalties
By understanding when it is appropriate versus inappropriate to contact 911 about a stolen dog, cat, or exotic pet, you can make sure police resources are used properly while still taking steps to get your animal home safely.
Conclusion
Having a beloved pet stolen can be extremely stressful and emotional. In the heat of the moment, it may be tempting to call 911 right away in hopes of recovering your animal faster. However, it is important to consider whether the situation truly requires emergency level response before involving 911 dispatchers. For most stolen pet cases, calling the police non-emergency line to file a report is the preferred approach. But if your pet was just taken, the thief is still nearby, other crimes occurred, or the animal needs immediate veterinary care, then reaching out to 911 would be warranted. Use discretion to ensure police resources are allocated properly, while still taking the necessary steps to try to reunite with your stolen pet.