How the Law Handles Lost Dogs

There’s no doubt losing your dog can be a traumatic experience for you, your family and your dog. But what rights do you – and your dog – have under the law? How are lost dogs handled in the Pike’s Peak region?

One thing’s for sure – time is of the essence when your dog is missing, so begin your search immediately. Here’s what to do if your dog comes up missing.

Here are some laws and local policies you should know about in the event your dog becomes lost.

1. Under the law your dog is considered property.

2. Legally, no one may maliciously harm or steal your dog without facing legal action. Your rights as a pet owner apply whether a citizen or a local authority finds your animal.

3. A loose dog may be picked up or impounded by local authorities, especially if the dog does not have any identification tags or is not microchipped. An animal found with “no tags” is considered “abandoned property” and legally becomes property of the state.

4. Animals impounded in El Paso County are transported and cared for at Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) Colorado Springs campus.

5. If your dog is wearing ID tags or has a microchip, HSPPR will contact either you directly or your veterinarian, depending on how the information is registered. A postcard will also be sent to the address listed on the registration.

6. HSPPR will conduct a reasonable search to find the owner of a lost dog, including checking any lost reports (from their website or the national database). They will check social media and other local networking groups (i.e. Craigslist, Nextdoor, etc.)

7. By law, stray dogs in Colorado must be held a minimum of five days in an animal shelter before they can be made available for adoption.

8. HSPPR will try to care for an animal longer than five days if possible. However, if an animal is ill or presenting serious behavioral issues, they may be humanely euthanized.

9. To reclaim your dog, you will need:

• Driver’s license or ID with your current address
• Proof of ownership. This can include veterinary records, a photograph, registration information, adoption paperwork or other proof you are the legal owner.
• Proof of current rabies vaccination and registration. Contact your veterinarian if you need a copy of your vaccination history.
• HSPPR charges a daily boarding fee as well as the cost of necessary medical care.

10. If your dog is a hunting dog, you may receive special consideration under the law (as your dog may have gotten lost during a hunting trip).

11. If you suspect your dog has been stolen, file a report with a police officer. If the officer is reluctant to take down your complaint, remind them a pet is property under the law and pet theft is subject to the same penalty as other thefts.

12. If you think you see your dog living in someone else’s home, visit them to make sure it’s your dog and hopefully they will return your dog to you. If not, you may have to go through legal channels to reclaim your lost “property”.

13. If your lost dog is adopted by another family from a shelter, there may be little you can do. If the shelter complied with the law (held the dog for at least five days), you may not have the right to reclaim your dog. This is why it is so important to act quickly if your dog becomes missing.

The good news is that many lost dogs are reunited with their owners. HSPPR reunited 4,700 lost pets with their owners last year.

The best thing to do if your dog is lost is to take action! Search online and go to the HSPPR shelter and walk through the kennels.

Lost Pet Resources:

What To Do If Your Dog is Lost

Should You Get Your Dog Microchipped?

What You Need to Know About ID Tags to Keep Your Dog Safe

Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region

*Note: These are local laws, rules and policies specific to El Paso County, Colorado. If you live in a different county or state, please check your local laws or call your local Humane Society before your dog goes missing so you know what action to take in the event he or she becomes lost.

Have you ever lost a dog? Please share your experience in the comments below.