Ex stole my dog and is now in another state

[Nostromo]

Greetings,

Recently my ex and I have seperated after six years together. Two and a half years ago, I bought a dog from a breeder with $750 cash and we brought it into our home. We both fell in love with the dog, and you could consider us both as care takers of her in regards to food and vet bills, socializing, and enrichment activities.

After we split, she moved out of the house and back to her home state of Texas. 4 weeks later, I came home after work and she was gone. She does not have a key to the house and must have come in through the back, as she knows I leave the back door open everyday for the dog to venture into the backyard as she pleases.

I contacted the local PD however there is no confirmation that she has taken the dog, nor is there sign of forced entry, it is only my suspicion. The officer informed its possible that anyone could have entered my backyard and taken the dog, and its also possible that the gardners who come once a week may have left the gate open while they were working and the dog escaped. I think both are highly unlikely.

She denies that she drove back to CA to take the dog. There is no evidence of a break in, or evidence she had been there, but she does have a motive.

She will not inform about where is staying in Texas, and I really have no more information to go on to pursue getting my dog back.

Are there any legal avenues that I can pursue in an attempt to retrieve the dog that is rightfully mine?

 

[army judge]

Sorry, you have no proof as to who might have taken the dog.
In fact, you don't know if the dog was taken.
As the police officer told you, the dog could have simply wandered away.
Without proof, you have nothing on which you could take any action, civilly or criminally.
Even if you did have proof, there's no way California would really pursue this over a dognapping.
The alleged perp is in Texas.
There's NOTHNG you can do using small claims, as the costs of pursuing (even with proof) makes no financial sense.
Besides that, small claims courts can't order the dog to be returned to you, only that she pay you the dog's worth (as in actual cost).
But, it's her dog, too.
So, even if you had proof she took the dog, it's as much her dog as it is yours.
Sorry, time to move on, sir.
I wish you well.