In September 2004 our dog trainer took our german shepherd pup to board and train while we were on vacation. His name is Tom Sawyer and he did not return our pup Kasch. He first made excuses and delayed his return and then stopped returning our calls 4 and 5 days at a time. I finally left a message that I was going to the law and he called the very next day to say that he lost our dog. I saw several problems. He waited 36 hours to notify us of the supposed disappearance. When we got over there the next day to search for our pup there were no signs up nor had any ads been placed. Our kennel crate and leash were also gone but a few weeks later we got the crate back. I began my own investigation and discovered 2 other purebred dogs had disappeared with this same trainer over the previous 10 months or so, and learned of a couple of other situations with him. Many of the circumstances were similar in the different cases. To end a long story, tragically we never got our beloved Kasch back. He did not even compensate us for the money we spent searching for our dog. May it be known to everyone out there Tom Sawyer cannot be trusted with anyone's pet and he is now working for a national pet store chain as a trainer in Houston.

Have you called the police? You might want to get with some of his other customers and go to the police. When the police see the pattern that should be more than enough to investigate him.

I am down here in Beaumont but I will help you if I can. Good luck and thanks for the warning

Two paths are opened to you, and you should pursue them both:
A) Go to the police. Be polite but forceful, and show a pattern of wrong doing, and point out that the guy is still employed around dogs which are at risk.

B) Hire a lawyer and take him to court.

I would be taking to the manager of the pet store that he's currently working for and show him your evidence ( hopefully you have signed contracts, etc. ). If the manager balks at taking any action, find out when the guy is teaching his classes, and make a *huge* sign telling people what happened and attach it to the side of your car. Then park in the parking lot of the store 15 mins. before his class starts. Do it a lot. And invite reporters to come watch.

You might also contact a local TV station that does investigative reporting - they love stories like these. If the pet store doesn't fire the thief, let the national chain head office know ( send it via registered mail ) that you are contacting the police and the media.
Hope you get justice, amigo!

Take this clown to court ASAP! Use small claims court and you will not need an attorney. Get the judgement then go after his stuff, car, boat, even his dogs. You can sue for any expense related to the dog, purchase price, vet bills, fees, training costs, no pain and suffering though. Don't kid yourself your dog along with the others have probably been sold to someone else. In eastern Arkansas they have convicted a guy of selling stolen purbreed dogs. He would sell them for hundreds with false paperwork and pay the theives 25-50 for each stolen dog they produced. He was also a puppymill owner. His wife still has the kennel permit.

This guy deserves to go down..bigtime. If youdon't want to post it PM me which store he works at. Maybe his employer should know of these problems. I may have some pull if its the company I think it it. If you can let me know which store it is as this company has several stores in Houston. Also follow Will's advice to the letter....ruin this guy if you can. He should never sleep soundly again. Plus the company I beleive he works for starts to shake and cry and wimper anytime anyone talks lawsuit, badpress etc etc. This guy will lose his job and a nice newspaper story or even better TV feature will keep him from harming others as well. Derek