Ex Partner Has My Dog - What Can I Do?

[boymeetsworld]

I left my partner because I found out he had been stealing my identity and using it to get credit in my name. I left with pretty much the shirt on my back. I had to leave my dog behind. This was three weeks ago. Now the ex partner is using my dog as a means to put pressure on me to back off pressing charges for fraud and identity theft.
I have contacted the police in the small redneck town I lived in (Colorado) and also proven my ownership of the dog, but they have done absolutely nothing.
What are my rights and how can I get John Q. Law off his lazy a** to help me?
Please help!!!

[aardvarc]

Exactly what is it that you are expecting police to do? They are not going to go get your dog and deliver it to you. The ex didn't steal the dog - you left it there, so there's no crime. They are also not about to get involved in a civil dispute over property - that's why we have civil courts. If you want them to do a standby to ensure you are safe and un-harassed while you retrieve your property (dog), then you arrive at or near to the location, call and ask for a domestic standby, wait till the officers arrive, tell the ex to folk over your dog, and be gone. Best case scenario, he turns the dog over, you go your separate ways and that'll be the end. Worst case scenario, he claims the dog is his and he's not turning it over, the police can't and won't get involved. It's a civil claim over property ownership. At that point you can take him to small claims court, get a court order for return of the dog, and if the property isn't returned in the timeframe ordered by the court, then and ONLY THEN would it become a law enforcement issue (for contempt of court).

[boymeetsworld]

Thank you for this insight. I can prove legal ownership of the dog through her microchip info. This has my name as the sole owner.
Can I have someone go on my behalf or do I have to go there myself? There are people who would go get her for me. The problem is I am no longer in the same state where my ex lives, because of safety issues. I also have a criminal case against him for fraud and identity theft.
Would appreciate a response. Thank you.

[Betty3]

Besides the dog, did you leave any other property behind? You noted that you left with pretty much the shirt on your back.

[boymeetsworld]

Yes, I did leave other property behind. Quite a bit to be exact. The local law enforcement does not at all seem interested in me getting any of it back either. They have also not been returning my phone calls.
There must be some way to get them to act. I am not in the state where this happened for safety reasons, but if I knew I could go back to Colorado and get my possessions (of which my dog is the most important), I would leave immediately.