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       I shared a sigh of relief with D.C. residents on hearing that Teffiney Worthy was reunited with her French bulldog, Hendrix, who had been cruelly stolen days before, as reported in the Nov. 29 Metro article “Stolen D.C. Frenchie is reunited with owner.” But a D.C. Council member’s response to the episode raised grave concerns and underscored the need for legislation to deter would-be pet snatchers.

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       Soon after Hendrix’s recovery, The Post reported that Hendrix’s owner had received an Instagram message from a person seeking $900 in exchange for his safe return. D.C. police did not say whether money changed hands, only that the individual from Instagram was neither arrested nor fully cleared. The assailant who threatened her — “give me your dog or I’m gonna kill you” — remains at large.

       Council Member Zachary Parker (D-Ward 5) nonetheless celebrated on X, formerly Twitter: “It is a model for what we can do to improve public safety together.” D.C. residents did show up for their neighbor by contributing to a GoFundMe campaign for a private investigator and reward money — but crowdfunded or not, ransom payments for stolen pets are not a feel-good story. They’re the sober reality that D.C. residents live with because of the council’s inability to get a grip on crime.

       Fifteen states specifically address the theft of dogs in their criminal codes. D.C. does not, and, with at least nine dogs stolen in the District since June, the council must act swiftly to pass legislation to deter this awful crime. At the very least, our leaders could refrain from appearing to celebrate ransom payments on social media.

       Christopher Jarmas, Washington

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