How can I get my dog back from people who have him?

Hello Brad, I am sorry to hear about this ordeal that you are going through. So, if the police have classified the matter as a civil case, you can still attempt to contact the precinct and demand that you talk to the supervisor and tell him that you want to file a theft report, and maybe they will Attempt to contact the Person who allegedly stole your dog and investigate the matter by speaking with him and talking to neighbors. I would continue to try to convince the police to do this. Tell them it is not a big thing to go to their house knock on their door and ask questions of them or their neighbors. They are not going to lie to police, but they will lie to you. If this does not work out, then I would file a court case, and ask the court to demand specific performance in the form of returning the dog to you. Small claims court usually only allows plaintiffs to recover money damages, but they may allow you to sue for specific performance, which is an equitable remedy, when money damages are an inadequate Remedy. I would call the small claims court and ask them if you can sue in that court for specific performance, and if you cannot then you have to go to the Superior Court. If you have to file an action due to police not wanting to get involved, you can serve discovery requests upon the defendant, and ask them point-blank if the dog is in their possession. Keep in mind that they will most likely not lie in their discovery responses because they are under penalty of perjury when they provide their answers. So those are the pathways you can pursue this. I understand the heartbreak that you're going through, because I am a dog owner myself and I couldn't imagine how I would feel if somebody did this to me. I wish you the best of luck sir.