Police investigating Alabama woman’s claim that FedEx driver stole her service dog

Authorities are investigating an Alabama woman’s claim that a FedEx delivery driver stole her service dog over the weekend, Alabama.com reported. 

Helena Police Department chief Brad Flynn said an unidentified Shelby County woman filed a report with police Saturday night claiming that her dog was missing and that a neighbor told her that her pet was last seen in a FedEx truck. 

The police have been put in touch with the company driver on the woman’s street that day, and the department intends to question him about why he had the dog. Flynn said the driver claims that he was making sure that the dog did not get hit. 

However, the police chief said that the city itself has a worker who reunites lost dogs with their owners, adding he is unsure why the driver did not contact authorities, according to the local outlet. 

“We do this multiple times a month,’’ Flynn said, “and he never did that.”

In a statement to The Hill, FedEx said it values the importance of service dogs to owners, adding the driver in the incident no longer works for the company. 

“We understand the importance of service dogs in their owners’ lives and are highly disturbed by this reported behavior. This individual is no longer providing service on behalf of FedEx Ground while we work with local authorities to investigate the incident,” the company said. “We will take appropriate action based on the outcome of the investigation.”

Flynn said the investigation is ongoing and that it is unclear if the driver will face criminal charges.  

“I honestly don’t know,’’ Flynn said. “He believes he was rescuing a dog to keep it from getting hit but at the same dog doesn’t belong to you.”

The service dog was returned to its owner. 

The Hill has reached out to the Helena Police Department for comment. 

— Updated at 2:27 p.m.