May 21, 2024, 5:03 am | Read time: 8 minutes
If you find a stray dog, you should inform not only the animal shelter or veterinarian but also the police. While found animals aren’t the top priority for officers, it can be worthwhile, as recent cases in Berlin demonstrate.
A dog escapes nearly 100 kilometers from home. Two weeks later, a passerby discovers the emaciated animal in the middle of Berlin. He informs the local police—shortly afterward, the officers reunite the dog with its owner. The Berlin officers posted the story on social media, emphasizing that it’s okay and even helpful to contact the police when finding dogs. The Berlin police also care for lonely or helpless animals. But do other police stations feel the same way? Should you always inform the police when you find an animal, or should you contact another agency? PETBOOK investigated.
Does Caring for Found Dogs Fall Under Police Duties?
The Berlin officers have a clear opinion: Yes! Recently, they shared on their Instagram account, alongside the touching story of a dog found after weeks, a request: Anyone who finds an animal can also contact the capital’s police officers. The officers are well-connected and post—alongside other events from their workday—pictures of found animals on their social media channels. And this happens even though they are “occasionally laughed at by their own colleagues,” as stated in an Instagram story about a found Border Collie.
This might prevent more animals from ending up in Berlin’s animal shelters. The online community is a real support, offering a chance to “reunite four-legged and two-legged friends” by sharing and spreading the posts. The police explained on Instagram that found animals are regularly picked up at the stations, thanks to the attention drawn by social media posts.
Animal-Loving Officers, Happy Owners
“Some think it’s not the police’s job, and people would call us for every animal,” wrote the Berlin police. “Luckily, sooooo many officers love animals and rescue lonely or even needy ones.” The recent story of the lost Border Collie, which prompted their call to action, shows the decision was spot on.
The Collie’s owner had apparently given up hope of ever seeing his dog again. During a stay in Berlin, the animal escaped through the open car window and ran away. All searches were unsuccessful, and the dog disappeared. The man had to return to Bad Belzig, more than 80 kilometers away, without his four-legged friend.
But an Instagram post by the police achieved the nearly impossible: It reunited the owner and dog. The “somewhat emaciated” Border Collie had caught the attention of a passerby on Bernauer Street in Berlin, the police reported. The man didn’t know what else to do and informed the officers. “Our colleagues from A11 brought the four-legged friend to their station. He didn’t have a chip, so animal control was informed,” it continued. Meanwhile, an officer lovingly cared for the found dog, petting and feeding “the little one” and sent a picture of the animal to the police’s social media department, which published the photo.
Acquaintance Found the Dog on Instagram
A woman following the Berlin police on social media saw the post. She identified the animal as the missing Border Collie of an acquaintance from Bad Belzig. It was the dog that had escaped during a visit to Berlin. The attentive woman informed the man, who immediately drove to Berlin. “He thought he’d never see him again and broke down in tears at our station. Not all eyes were dry with our colleague either. Small effort—small post—everyone happy,” the Berlin police wrote on Instagram under the headline “Why We Post Found Animals? A True Story.”
For the capital’s officers, it’s no problem to be informed about found animals. Posting animal stories and pictures initially served purely as an image function but has proven helpful. But do other police stations also see no problem in being called for found animals? Or does it perhaps tie up resources needed elsewhere?
Frankfurt am Main Officers Also Help with Found Animals
“Basically, it’s never wrong to contact us,” says the police from Frankfurt am Main. This applies both if you find an animal in the jurisdiction and if one is lost.
Especially with dogs, it’s usually quite easy for the Frankfurt police to locate the owners. “The animals are often chipped, and we have a device to read the data.” Otherwise, the dog is taken to the shelter if the owners don’t come forward first. If a frightened dog runs through Frankfurt’s city traffic, it’s even important to inform the officers. After all, the animal endangers itself and other road users and could cause an accident in the worst case. Therefore, it’s also important to specify the area where the dog is running as precisely as possible.
“If You Find an Animal, Please Call 110 Immediately”
Generally, the officers in Frankfurt am Main are animal lovers, according to the spokesperson. They even go so far as to “occasionally look for a missing animal to see if it can be found,” if time allows. Before leaving the animal to fend for itself, a call to the police is the better solution. “We don’t tell anyone they’re bothering us for contacting us about this,” assures the spokesperson. “It may only be that we can’t come immediately because we’re busy elsewhere.”
But they will definitely take care of it. Last January, the Frankfurt officers even posted a specific call after a dog family was discovered on a truck’s loading area: “If you find an animal, please call 110 immediately and then, if possible, go with the animal to a police station where a found report can be filed.” The Frankfurt police also respond to calls about injured pigeons or helpless squirrels.
In Munich, Only Contact Police in Emergencies
In the Bavarian capital Munich, the police also have a heart for animals, as a spokesperson assures. However, for a found animal, “the first point of contact is the animal shelter,” emphasizes the spokesperson. They will take care of a found animal in an emergency if someone doesn’t know what else to do and contacts the officers. “But it would be better if the person directly contacts an animal shelter, as a found animal will be taken there anyway.” Otherwise, the police spokesperson fears they might eventually have the whole yard full of found animals.
In individual cases, such as when a tourist unfamiliar with the city finds an animal, they will take care of the four-legged friend. “We want to help the citizens.” Additionally, the Munich police have devices to read the data of a chipped dog. The police in the capital are usually informed about stray dogs, especially if there’s a danger to road users or pedestrians.
Even if a runaway animal has caused an accident, the police get involved. So if you miss your dog and haven’t had success at the animal shelter, you can call the officers and ask if there was an accident involving the animal. Otherwise, the rule for lost animals is the same as for lost items: “We’re not responsible for that.”
Düsseldorf Cooperates with Animal Rescue from Essen
In Düsseldorf, the police don’t want to have to take in every found animal, as a spokesperson explains upon inquiry. “Actually, the animal shelter is responsible for lost or found animals, especially when it comes to dogs.” So if you find an animal, you should first contact the city animal shelter if possible.
However, in the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, no one is turned away who doesn’t know what else to do with a found animal and asks the police for help. “It always depends on the individual case,” says the spokesperson. The officers are definitely the right contacts if a dog is left in a car during warm temperatures.
You’ve found an abandoned pet in the street? What you should do now
Victims of abducted dog: “The worst part was the constant uncertainty”
After Monkey Found in Bavaria, Owner Apparently Takes Animal to Poland
“If an Animal Is in Distress, We Can Be Called Anytime”
In general: “If an animal is in distress, we can be called anytime,” says the spokesperson. This also applies to wild animals. The recent successful rescue of fox cubs and a duck family from a street in the city area also fell under the duties of the Düsseldorf police. The capital’s officers cooperate with animal rescue from Essen, which can be quickly contacted to capture, medically treat, or free animals from difficult situations.
“And if necessary, we’ll even block off a street, for example, if a few ducks with ducklings have gotten lost there or a dog is running across the road,” explains the spokesperson. After all, neither animal nor human should come to harm. However, they don’t want to be seen as an extension of the animal shelter searching for the owners of found animals.