Found an item? Your responsibilities

What to do when you find someone else's property — your responsibilities and how to return it safely.

Found something in Dubuque? Handling it responsibly protects both you and the owner. Rules vary by location, but the principles are consistent.

Make a reasonable effort to find the owner. Check for ID, contact details, or anything that identifies who it belongs to.
Don't assume it's yours to keep. Keeping found property without trying to return it can have legal consequences. When in doubt, hand it in.
Hand valuables to the authorities. Report significant or high-value finds to the police non-emergency line for Dubuque; they'll log it and may issue a reference.
Store it safely. Keep the item secure and unchanged while you try to return it.
Post a found listing. Add a found-item listing for Dubuque with enough detail for the real owner to identify it — while holding back one verifying detail.

Helpful resources for Dubuque

Nextdoor
Reach neighbors to return a found item

Recent reports in Dubuque

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Found DeWalt 20V drill behind Diamond Jo Casino

I found a DeWalt 20V cordless drill this afternoon around 3:15pm in the parking lot behind the Diamond Jo Casino on West 2nd Street, Dubuque. It’s the yellow-and-black XR model, with a slightly beat-up plastic housing and a scuffed grip. It came with a charger and two spare bits, all tucked into a bright yellow hard case. One unique feature is a blue sticker on the battery labeled 'AK' in sharpie, plus a small dent on the left side of the handle. If this is your tool, shoot me a message and we can arrange a pickup.

Dubuque about 1 month ago

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Tan lop rabbit found near Diamond Jo Casino

Found a small tan lop-eared rabbit this afternoon around 3:15pm behind the Diamond Jo Casino parking lot on 2nd Street in Dubuque. It has soft tan fur, a white belly, and long floppy ears that perk up when it hears a noise. It's wearing a sky-blue collar with a tiny silver bell and a small black dot on the left ear as distinguishing marks. The rabbit seemed healthy but a bit skittish, and I found it by the riverwalk railing near the parking area. If this is your bunny, please describe the collar and ear mark so I can get them home quickly.

Dubuque about 1 month ago

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Canon VIXIA HF R800 camcorder with red strap

Category: Audio & Video Equipment. I found a black Canon VIXIA HF R800 camcorder this afternoon around 3:45pm in the parking lot behind the Carnegie-Stout Public Library on West 11th Street in Dubuque. It's in decent condition with a few scratches on the plastic body and the lens cap is missing, but the built-in mic and display screen still work when I tested it briefly. It has a bright red fabric strap, and there’s a small blue sticker with the initials 'DP' on the side near the battery compartment, which should help you spot it easily if you know what to look for. If this is yours, I’d be glad to arrange pickup at the library desk during open hours or meet you in the lot.

Dubuque 2 months ago

found A

Navy blue 28-inch Samsonite suitcase with neon tag

I found a navy blue 28-inch Samsonite suitcase this afternoon around 2:30 pm along the Riverwalk near the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque. It's in decent condition with a few scuffs on the corners, and it has a bright neon orange luggage tag with the initials 'AY' on the top handle. The red TSA lock still works, and the interior lining shows a small pile of clothes and a folded travel umbrella. I know how stressful it is to lose a bag, so I'm hoping to get it back to its owner soon. If this looks familiar, reply here and tell me something unique about the bag or share the brand tag inside.

Dubuque 4 months ago

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Beagle mix found wearing blue collar near Diamond Jo

Found a dog this afternoon around 4pm near the Diamond Jo Casino on the riverfront in Dubuque. It's a medium-sized beagle mix, mostly brown with white paws and a white blaze on the chest. The dog wears a bright blue nylon collar with a reflective stripe and a bone-shaped tag that reads 'MILO'—the number isn't legible from a distance. He has a small white dot on his left hind leg and seems healthy, friendly, and quick to wag his tail; I gave him water and a bit of treat, and he settled right down. If this is your pup or you know who he belongs to, please get in touch so I can help reunite you.

Dubuque 4 months ago

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Gold-tone teardrop earrings with emerald stones

I found a pair of earrings this afternoon around 2:45pm near the riverfront on Main Street by the Diamond Jo Casino in Dubuque. They’re gold-tone teardrop hoops with tiny emerald-like stones along the edge, and they’re in good condition aside from a couple of micro-scratches on the backs. One earring has a tiny turquoise bead near the clasp, and the other features a faint leaf engraving on the back. They feel a bit sentimental–I can tell they were loved. If the owner recognizes them, we can arrange a simple pickup at a safe spot in town.

Dubuque 4 months ago