My Trained Service Dog Was Wrongfully Transferred To A Rescue And Given To The Houston Pd K9 Unit. I Have Absolute Proof Of Ownership, But They Refuse To Return Him. Without His Aid I Was Struck By A Car And Burst My Spine. I Need Him More Than Ever. Replevin Options?

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​BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front):

My fully trained service dog, Leo, escaped while with his walker. San Antonio Animal Care Services (ACS) picked him up but repeatedly denied having him. I later uncovered their records proving they transferred him to a Houston rescue, who subsequently gave him to the Houston Police Department K9 unit. Despite providing overwhelming proof of ownership, the rescue blocked me, and HPD is ignoring my communications. I recently suffered a severe, life-altering injury without his mobility assistance and desperately need tactical legal advice on how to compel his return.

​The Timeline

​Oct 2023: I acquired Leo (Malinois then 10mos old ) from his original owner. I possess the complete text chain confirming the transfer of ownership. Over the next two years, I extensively trained him as my service dog for autism, PTSD, and mobility assistance. He lived with me full-time and I was his exclusive trainer.

​Mid-Oct 2025: I left Leo with a trusted pet sitter in San Antonio. He escaped near a greenbelt. A witness confirmed seeing ACS pick him up minutes later and I noted the pick up address.

​Late Oct 2025: I (and my representatives) called ACS roughly six times. They repeatedly denied picking up a Malinois in that area and stated none were in the system. A San Antonio PD officer who knew Leo also called ACS directly and received the same denial. Believing he was euthanized, I began grieving.

​Early Nov 2025: I found a dog matching Leo buried deep on the ACS website. I went in person and it was not him. The admin i met with stated they could see thi gs in the system others could not. I provided the non-public pickup address, and the admin located his file. ACS records confirmed they held him from Oct 12-18 before transferring him to MAD Rescue in Houston. The file retained the exact same ACS ID number. MAD records posted online show the same ACS photos and ID. ACS stated they would notify the rescue that the owner hadcome forth.

​Nov 2025 - Present:

​I contacted MAD Rescue, providing the exact ACS number, the pickup location, my original ownership texts, and a list of unique commands/behaviors only I would know. I also informed them of a second, unregistered microchip, which they confirmed existed.

​I offered to pay all fees and demonstrate his recall/commands in person. They requested information multiple times, then blocked me on Facebook with no explanation.

​A woman claiming to be a police officer contacted me after I posted publicly. She reviewed my evidence—including a 100% Google facial recognition match on unedited photos—and baselessly denied it was him.

​San Antonio PD advised me this is a strictly civil matter and stated to my shock that the dog was "adopted" by the Houston PD K9 unit telling me if I want him back I will have to sue.

​I have emailed HPD leadership, the Mayor, and the Chief of Police, explicitly offering to cover the financial cost of a replacement K9 for HPD. I have received zero response.

​May 2026: Without Leo's mobility assistance, I was struck by a vehicle while riding my e-bike, resulting in a burst spine, multiple fractures, and spinal fusion surgery. My mobility is permanently impacted. I do not know if I will ever run again. I told all parties that I was at risk without his aid and my fears materialized in the worst way imaginable.

​The Evidence I Hold

​Full text chain establishing the original transfer of ownership in 2023.

​ACS intake, holding, and transfer records tying the dog to the exact time and place of escape.

​Photographic proof and facial recognition matches.

​Witness statements regarding the escape and the ACS pickup.

​witness statement proving the rescue's acknowledgment of the second microchip.

​Medical records detailing the severe injuries sustained in his absence.

​Important Context

​While Leo was microchipped, the chip was unfortunately not registered in my name at the time of his escape. However, no surrender or legal adoption by me ever occurred. I am aware of Lira v. Greater Houston German Shepherd Dog Rescue (Tex. 2016), which seems directly on point regarding a rescue's inability to divest an owner's property rights when a dog escapes. Additionally, I currently reside in Lakehills, Texas, making this a complex multi-jurisdictional issue involving agencies in San Antonio, Houston, and my current local representatives.

​My Legal Questions

​Replevin Action: Is an emergency replevin action against MAD Rescue and/or Houston PD my strongest path forward to recover my property?

​Venue: Given the dog was taken in Bexar County but is currently held by an entity in Harris County, where must I file the suit? Are there statutory time limits I am rapidly approaching?

​Theft/Conversion: Because HPD and the rescue are refusing to return my property despite proof, can I press charges for theft/conversion, or will law enforcement continue to treat this strictly as a civil dispute?

​Service Animal Leverage: Does Leo's documented status as a trained service animal under Texas or Federal law provide any accelerated legal leverage or specific causes of action regarding his confiscation?

​Legal Aid: Because my medical expenses from my recent spinal surgery have depleted my finances, are there specific low-cost legal aid organizations or animal law attorneys in Texas equipped to handle a multi-city replevin case involving a police department?

​Thank you for your time. I am not looking for emotional support—just practical, tactical legal steps, applicable statutes, or attorney referrals to get my partner back.

Location: Bexar and Harris County TX