THIEF OR GOOD SAMARITAN??

[Whirlaway]

Ft Worth man "rescues" Swiss Mt. Dog.

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/story/241991...-it-was-stolen

[daveindallas]

Thief
Even if he had good intentions, he shouldn't have taken the dog
Without contacting the owners to let them know where the dog
Was.
And he says he will not return the dog
Until mon or tues if next week to get it checked out by a vet??????
Shouldn't take that long.
Something else is afoot here.

[~Ze~]

Vigilante bullshit. It wasn't HIS place to do that. He should have called animal services. He is wrong on MANY levels. I believe he should be charged with damage to property, theft, and what the hell ever else they can throw at him.

He claimed to have seen the dog outside for 8 hours. Plenty of time to call services. -_- I think he is just trying to cover his ass.

Gawd I love reddit.

[Hercules]

Theft, trespassing, breaking and entering. Hope they catch that idiot and throw him in jail. Just because the dog is outside in inclement weather doesn't mean it's neglected. I have a cold climate pet and I had to drag her inside during the ice-storm because she preferred being outside.

[bored@home]

Just my 2 cents, 5 years ago around this time i called animal services because a dog was left chained in the backyard. 5 hours later they still had not come. I ended up breaking the lock and taking the dog. I left a note explaining what i did and gave all my contact info. I went back a week later and the note was gone and no one would answer the door (even though they were home). I ended up getting the dog to the vet and cost me a lot. I returned again to return the dog the following weekend. When i pulled up the man went inside and again would not answer the door. After that she became a full member of the family and my best friend, no way in hell would i ever return her.
I agree the guy should have called for support and left a note but not getting on the rescurer being a villian bandwagon just yet. Lets see how the story unfolds before the lynching.

[OldGrump]

That dog had a comfy crate out of the wind and is a breed that is accustomed to sub zero temperatures. I guess the SOB would have hijacked the entire Iditarod competiton?

Throw the book at him. Vandalism, trespassing, B&E, theft, and now blackmail.

I hate meddling idiot bastards.

[MRMR]

Thief, pure and simple.
He should have already returned the dog if that is his intention.
I bet he disappears for awhile and no more info on the dog.
Hope I am wrong.

[~Ze~]

Sadly, and I hate for the internet to be used this way.. but they are usually pretty good about diggin up info on a person with activity on any social forum like that. If push comes to shove they might be able to find the fuck.

[Whirlaway]

The dognapper returned Heidi to her family last night...

[bored@home]

Originally Posted by Whirlaway

The dognapper returned Heidie to her family last night...

I am glad, I was afraid their intentions were not the best and felt out of place trying to play devils advocate based on my previous experience.
10 month old "puppy" in the cold, multiple hours, not knowing the breed, etc etc,...I can't say I would not have "meddled" either. I have a soft spot for four legged friends.
I would love to know every detail and be able to make fair assessment but in the end alls well that ends well.

[Whirlaway]

It is one thing to save a stray running around the neighborhood; but a whole different game when you break into someone's locked property to take a dog you think may/may not be in jeopardy.

IMO, the guy should be arrested and charged with breaking and entering....a felony !

The dog's life was not in peril; even the dognapper isn't claiming so....he didn't immediately take the dog to an emergency vet for confirmation.

[bored@home]

IMO not knowing the details prevents me from painting this person as mustache twirling bad guy yet.
I have many unanswered questions that would help determine which side of the fence I would fall but without those questions answered I have to stay neutral.
Everyone can make their own choice and speculate right or wrong but I will remain in the middle. Nothing truly nefarious took place so I am happy the family has their kid back, as far as pressing charges...if the person makes right on anything that was broke then that's enough for me.
The problem with calling this person a "criminal" at this point is there are too many unknowns.
All the same, everyone is entitled to make their own conclusion and judge how they will.

[Whirlaway]

Breaking into someone's locked property is more than nefarious; it is a felony.

The intruder would have credibility had he immediately taken the dog to an emergency vet to be checked out....the intruder didn't.....

The intruder didn't even try to contact the owners....he just reacted and then taunted them with facebook postings....

[bored@home]

We can agree to disagree on the term nefarious and the scope of the charges. I do hope that if you are ever in place or situation "you" feel assistance is required that you act rather than minding your own business or worries about possible charges.
Do I agree with the method and immediate actions of the person in question; absolutely not. Was there better more sound options they should have pursued; absolutely.
My final opinion has yet to be made but I am currently hovering around the "well intentioned dumbass" mark.
Now that being said, you show me a ransom letter or if the person collected the reward and I will get the rope and find a tree...

[Hercules]

Anyone that saws the lock on a gate is asking for a ass full of buck-shot.