Dogs have long been considered property, and the laws in most of the US treat them as such. Under California law, the "value" of the dog is used to determine the punishment, with anything less than $950 considered a petty theft, and with maximum punishment not exceeding 1 year in prison, if any. 

However, the law should reflect the impact a crime has on the victims. More than half of all American households own dogs, and according to The Harris Poll (2015), 96% of them consider them to be another member of the family. The loss of a dog, by death or theft, is an emotionally tolling experience that leaves families suffering. 

On the other hand, it's not just families that suffer. Dogs are sentient beings, not inanimate objects. In a New York Times column, Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist and author, tells how he and his team used MRIs to decode the canine brain, with initial findings showing evidence that dogs empathize with humans, and are capable of experiencing positive emotions, like love and attachment. 

It is estimated that around 2 million dogs are stolen each year in the US. Criminals are becoming more violent, attracted by the hefty rewards their heartbroken victims will offer to get back their canine family members. The weak dog theft laws that are in place in California are allowing criminals to operate with little accountability for their heinous acts, and are putting dog owners in danger. 

Let's ask the California State Legislature to pass dog theft laws that will reflect the irrecoverable damage done to all the victims, and that can serve as a deterrent for future crimes. Let's get California to set an example for the rest of the country.