Couple saves dog, police charges them for theft

BEIJING: The adoption of an emaciated, crippled police dog in Jinhua, Zhejiang province stirred heated online debate, calling for clarification about what can be done with stray animals and the proper care of police, firefighter and dogs.

A woman identified as Ying, a resident in Jinhua, complained on social media that she and her husband had been interrogated by police after they adopted a homeless dog on the street in June.

“We picked up the dog, a slightly crippled, emaciated German shepherd, as it searched for food in the garbage near the Duohu police station,” Ying said.

“Feeling sorry for it, we brought it home and found no information on the collar on its neck.”

After several days, police summoned and interrogated the couple on suspicion of theft, as the animal was the station’s police dog, valued at 15,000 yuan (RM8,998).

They were released on a 5,000 yuan (RM2,999) bail, pending further investigation.

In response, the police issued a statement saying the dog was used for daily security patrols, and that the couple is suspected of “stealing the valuable dog on the street”.

Ying called on the police to release the surveillance video to clarify whether what they did should be defined as theft.

Yang Wenzhan, a lawyer at Beijing Zhongdun Law Office, said he is inclined to define the couple’s action as salvation.

“The dog was found outside the control area of the police station. It was free ranging, with nobody looking after it,” Yang said.

He also called on the police to take better care of their dogs.