Kiki (pictured) was stolen from her backyard in January of this year in Tacoma, Washington, by four strangers who saw a photo of her emaciated body posted on Facebook. The goal of the posting was to get help for this tethered dog. And she received help. One of the four was Autumn Niesz-Ramos who said Kiki could barely stand up because she was so weak. “She was shaking, she was so cold.”
“The dog was clearly starving and in really bad shape so we got a group of us and go over there,” Niesz-Ramos, who admitted to taking Kiki.
Her collar was also embedded in her neck.
Niesz-Ramos said she wasn’t going to wait for Animal Control to respond; she planned to give Kiki the help she believe the dog needed. Niesz-Ramos said veterinarians also told her that Kiki was in bad shape.
Someone then dropped Kiki off at the local Humane Society in Tacoma who in turn returned Kiki to her owner. Her owner also said he knew Kiki wasn’t healthy.
The shelter said they had no reason to keep Kiki unless there was a warrant or they believed she was being abused.
While Kiki’s saga may be over, the story behind it isn’t. With winter descending upon us, how many pet dogs and cats will suffer the harsh elements of weather from the cold without proper food and shelter allowing them to suffer? The same can be said about any pet who presumably appears to be suffering without receiving help or proper care.
With the explosion of social media sites, more people are posting images of pets that appear to be abused, malnourished, dying or dead. People want to see these animals get the help they so desperately need.
Tamira Thayne, former CEO of Dogs Deserve Better, stole an emaciated 19 yr. old German Shephard in 2006. Tami witnessed this dog’s lifeless body named Jake (later renamed Doogie) tethered to a dog house every day as she drove by him. She decided the only way to help Doogie was to steal him. Doogie was taken to a vet and finally received the proper care. Doogie was never returned to his former home and lived out the rest of his life at an undisclosed location.
Thayne received national attention for her actions. She was charged with theft and receiving stolen property. Her case went to trial. Thayne maintained she was justified for taking the dog since her actions saved his life.
A jury took less than 30 minutes to find her guilty in December 2007.
Pets are considered property and stealing them is a crime.
If you see a suffering pet, would you break the law in order to save his or her life even if it meant you could be charged with a crime?
I know animal activists who have “stplen” abused or neglected pets. I have never done that but I have turned in people who were in my circle of friends after trying to help a an emaciated pet and his owner with zero success. My complaint was investigated and the dog received the proper care she needed by the family after getting a friendly visit by the local SPCA.
“I don’t think I stole her. I think I saved her,” said Niesz-Ramos talking about Kiki.
Should we think of taking a dog or cat as saving a life or stealing a pet?
You tell me.
Have a story, please email me at tevangelistaepp@yahoo. Like my tv page at https://www.facebook.com/ACloseUpLookAtAnimalWelfareIssues.
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Awesome post and positively yes!
I would go through proper channels first. If no response then yes I would steal a pet to safe its life
Pawsitively YES!
Without a doubt! 🙂
I consider it rescuing and not stealing because I’d be helping an animal. Sometimes, you have to take matters into your own hands.
I can’t say.
Yes but I wouldn’t tell anyone.
Why did they turn Kiki over to the shelter? I would have kept her. She was sent back to the same life. 🙁
It’s stealing not rescuing. Try and get the dog help. Talk to the neighbor and see if you can work with him to help the dog. If not, go thru the proper channels. You can get arrested like Tamira did and go to court. It will cost you more money in the end.
It’s saving a dog’s life. The law doesn’t always help animals. Therefore sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands. Sad, wrong but true.