# Family dog eats $4,000 in cash **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 7, 2024, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729 "2024-01-07T05:37:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/1 "2024-01-07T05:37:22Z")
And guess how they found out? Yeah, the hard way. I wish Dave Barry still wrote his weekly column. This is right up his alley. > **[Dog belonging to Pennsylvania couple eats $4,000 in cash](https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/dog-belonging-to-pennsylvania-couple-eats-4-000-in-cash-201456709975)** > > A seven-year-old dog named Cecil belonging to a Pennsylvania couple ate $4,000 in cash off of their counter. The couple had taken the money out of the bank for a home improvement project and set it on the counter before Cecil jumped up and ate... ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 5:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/2 "2024-01-07T05:41:43Z")
Well, if the vet removes it carefully enough, it should just about cover the surgery. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/3 "2024-01-07T05:48:53Z")
The pup looks quite satisfied with himself for a job well done! It’s the silly hoomans’ fault for placing such value on stupid, deliciously chewable pieces of paper! For those who didn’t watch the video, the couple were able to recover around $3,500 and get the bank to exchange it for money that had not been pawed, shredded, or passed through a dog’s digestive system. Next up: perhaps questions from the IRS about who the home renovation contractor was and why they wanted to be paid in cash. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/4 "2024-01-07T05:53:33Z")
I saw that And…his name was Cecil. Love it! ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/5 "2024-01-07T06:07:19Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > For those who didn’t watch the video, the couple were able to recover around $3,500 and get the bank to exchange it for money that had not been pawed, shredded, or passed through a dog’s digestive system. Yes, you can always exchange damaged currency. But I do wonder what they had to do here. Presumably you have to submit more than 50% of a bill (even if in fragments) in recognizable form. I think I might have been inclined to just sell the dog to a debt collector for 25c on the $ - they have no shame, they would recover it. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/6 "2024-01-07T06:09:10Z")
The Federal Reserve has a department of people who reassemble damaged cash so the rightful owners can be reimbursed, usually after a fire, but they have also done this with money that had been buried or ruined in a flood. One wonders if they’ve ever had to deal with something like…this…before. (Probably.) My old neighbor told me about running back into a burning house to retrieve a jar full of cash, and thankfully he wasn’t injured but I told him that he should not do that. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/7 "2024-01-07T06:13:56Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > But I do wonder what they had to do here. Presumably you have to submit more than 50% of a bill (even if in fragments) in recognizable form. Among the standard bank rules is that for a bill to be valid for replacement, both serial numbers have to be visible. Presumably the absence of the two parts was at least part of the reason why Cecil’s adventure cost them $500. As an aside, those who might marvel at their continuing love for Cecil have probably never owned a dog. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/8 "2024-01-07T06:14:32Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > And guess how they found out? Yeah, the hard way. Not according to any article I’ve seen. > **[Pittsburgh family dog eats $4,000 in cash](https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pittsburgh-point-breeze-dog-eats-4000-in-cash-owners-get-most-back/)** > > A Pittsburgh couple's dog got himself into some big trouble after wolfing down the most expensive dinner of his life. > Clayton said about 30 minutes later, Cecil, a 7-year-old goldendoodle, was caught red-pawed. > > “I walked back into the room and then all this cash was on the ground. He’s just like this, standing there, and I’m just like oh my gosh, he ate some of this money and was in shock. I yelled to Carrie, ‘He ate the money, he ate $4,000!’” Clayton Law said. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/9 "2024-01-07T06:18:14Z")
I was always told that one serial number is worth half the value of the denomination. Thus, two serial numbers = full value. Could be just a story, too. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/10 "2024-01-07T06:31:40Z")
There’s also the joke about a pregnant cat who ate a ball of yarn, and her kittens were born wearing sweaters. Cute idea, but yeah, it wouldn’t quite work that way. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/11 "2024-01-07T06:42:25Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > One wonders if they’ve ever had to deal with something like…this…before. (Probably.) From a [different article](https://people.com/pennsylvania-couple-sifts-through-waste-after-dog-eats-4000-dollars-8422767): > “Finally ready to talk about last week 💩💸🐾,” Carrie captioned the video. “The bank assured us that this happens all the time.” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/12 "2024-01-07T13:19:18Z")
Our African Grey Rocco turned a five dollar bill into confetti. I was making up a cash deposit and left my desk for 15 minutes or so. It could have been worse. He so thoroughly shredded the bill that I had to count the remaining cash to realize there was $5 missing. ---
**Author:** ![Ynnad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/4491bb/32.png) [@Ynnad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ynnad)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/13 "2024-01-07T13:31:43Z")
If your bank can’t help you in a situation like this then you should seek help from the United States Bureau of Engraving and Printing: > **[Mutilated Currency Redemption | Engraving & Printing](https://www.bep.gov/services/mutilated-currency-redemption)** Note that the lack of one or even both serial numbers may not always preclude redemption. Your first step is Form 5283: [https://www.bep.gov/media/931/download?inline](https://www.bep.gov/media/931/download?inline) ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/14 "2024-01-07T13:34:16Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I wish Dave Barry still wrote his weekly column. This is right up his alley. So was the money. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/15 "2024-01-07T13:56:30Z")
Friend-of-a-friend time, but I think this one isn’t really urban legend category: a friend of mine in rural Oregon told me about his rural neighbor whose house burned down, and his life savings–kept in a metal box–turned to ash. Nevertheless, the government fully reimbursed him for the burnt cash. I suspect that the bills were still whole, even if carbonized. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2024, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/16 "2024-01-07T17:35:31Z")
This is how my brain works: If I kept large amounts of cash in the house, unless in a wall safe, I think I’d keep it close enough to grab if the house was on fire. I assume no one in the house has large amounts on their person here. Small amount in the cookie jar/petty cash depository. But I’d be busy grabbing cats and my insulin. So I’d forget the cash bag. Oh wait, my mother’s old ring. Damn my jewelry. My debit card. Hey, I better wake up others. Where’s the dog, my shoes, my jacket. Oh shit I just bought that book. My bug out bag!!! God my secret phone is in…where is my phone?.. aaaccckkk, screaming and running…damn some money. Excuse me. I gotta upgrade my preparedness. And see how much money is floating around here. … If you were prone to some conspiracy theories and decided to keep, say, a pile of big bills under your mattress could you take photos of them on your phone? Then the house burns the ground. Some how you got out with your phone. Would they accept the pictures as proof you had the bills and reimburse you? ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/17 "2024-01-12T03:52:37Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Would they accept the pictures as proof you had the bills and reimburse you? Anyone could take a photo of currency and then claim it was burnt. How is that proof? ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/18 "2024-01-12T04:07:44Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Then the house burns the ground. Some how you got out with your phone. Well, there’s this … > [@Ynnad](#): > > Note that the lack of one or even both serial numbers may not always preclude redemption. Your first step is Form 5283: > > [https://www.bep.gov/media/931/download?inline](https://www.bep.gov/media/931/download?inline) I dunno, does this ^^ from above in the thread help? As always, there WILL be gov’t forms to fill out. Gotta lurves that bureaucracy. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 8:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/19 "2024-01-12T08:09:18Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > How is that proof? I know, right? That’s when you know that it is a conspiracy. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2024, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729/20 "2024-01-12T08:27:24Z")
I don’t know how they prove much of anything with photos, anymore. Too many tricksters out there. And who goes around taking pictures of their cash? Maybe if it was $1000 dollar bills. You know, just cause. It was a fleeting thought. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/family-dog-eats-4-000-in-cash/995729.md?page=2)