Scammers pose as WA animal officers, threaten pets for payment

SUMNER, Wash. - Police are warning of a new scam where fraudsters impersonate animal control officers, claim to have found missing pets, and demand payment from owners or else their animals will be killed.

In a social media post on Wednesday, the Sumner Police Department (SPD) described these actions as 'a new low.'

The Sumner Police Department posted on social media about a scam alert on Wednesday: "Scammers are impersonating Metro staff/animal control officers, targeting pet owners. This is a new low. They claim to have the owner’s missing pet but demand payme

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The SPD is cautioning the public that its officers would never threaten pets or their owners for payment.

Authorities emphasize that even if owners are fined, that process is structured and does not involve threats made via text or phone call.

Anyone encountering this scam is urged to immediately hang up. If you are skeptical about the legitimacy of a call or if your pet is missing, the SPD encourages you to directly contact them at 253-299-PETS.

There are no fees charged for verifying information about missing pets.