FAIRFAX STATION, Va. — A couple in Fairfax Station recently started an online petition to shed light on an incident involving their French bulldog.
Months after their dog Lola was reportedly taken by a utility worker and later returned when police got involved, Tara and Justin Hall said she still suffers from behavioral health issues that require further treatment.
Tara, a disabled veteran, relies on Lola as her service dog.
They requested for UtiliQuest to fulfill veterinarian costs and compensate for emotional damages, but an email from the company’s lawyer two weeks ago said, “We do not believe that the circumstances and events warrant the demands set forth in your correspondence.”
“We feel overlooked because we felt the entire situation that occurred with Lola wasn’t taken seriously,” Tara Hall told WUSA9. “What we went through was absolutely awful. It’s like losing a child. A dog is more than just a personal property.”
In March, the couple accused the utility worker taking care of a line for another neighbor of stealing Lola from the end of their driveway. Neighbors compiled surveillance images capturing the same worker around the time Lola vanished. It prompted a community-wide search into the woods for the dog.
Fairfax County Police eventually tracked down the worker, who remains unidentified because he’s not facing any charges.
A police spokesperson said when he was questioned, the man claimed he was confused about what the detective was talking about at first, but eventually admitted to having Lola.
FCPD said this man alleged Lola didn’t have a collar on and wanted to take her to the animal shelter.
“Bottom line is you just feel violated,” Justin Hall added. “What's next? It kind of builds anxiety.”
The Hall family said Lola was wearing an electronic training collar at the time, and questioned why he didn’t check in with homeowners first.
WUSA9 has reached out to the utility company’s lawyer and executive vice president for comment but haven’t heard back.
An email from the company’s lawyer to the Halls stated, “While obviously everyone at UtiliQuest regrets that your dog was missing for a period of time, upon learning of the circumstances, company management immediately became involved and coordinating having your dog returned to you as soon as possible.”
“We had 30 plus people looking for her,” Justin Hall said. “Because of our resolve and the community, that's the reason we got her back. The company did nothing.”
The online petition also said, “We need laws in place to protect individuals with disabilities and their service animals when there is harm caused by company employees. These laws should ensure proper restitution and accountability.”
The Halls said they didn't press charges at the time because all they wanted was Lola back.