What is it about?
This article explores the creation of a police dog service in early 20th century Paris. It shows how police dogs were intended to combat Parisian gangs and other criminals. But concerns about the intelligence of dogs refused to disappear, undermining efforts to police the city with dogs.
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Why is it important?
Police dogs are common sights in many cities today. But their emergence was characterized by doubts and setbacks. In particular, Parisian police dogs raised broader questions about intelligence and instinct in humans and animals.
Perspectives
I am currently researching a book on the history of dogs in modern London, Paris and New York. One book chapter will focus on police dogs, and this article has really helped me think through how Parisians thought about canine intelligence and crime.
Dr Chris J Pearson
University of Liverpool
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Between Instinct and Intelligence: Harnessing Police Dog Agency in Early Twentieth-Century Paris, Comparative Studies in Society and History, March 2016, Cambridge University Press,
DOI: 10.1017/s0010417516000141.
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