Introduction
Dogs have been companions and helpers to humans for thousands of years. In modern times, some dogs are being utilized in new ways to help prevent and fight crime. The thesis of this article is that dogs can aid in crime prevention and deterrence in certain situations, though they have limitations. An overview will be provided of the main ways dogs assist with crime prevention, including protecting property, assisting police, and serving as visual deterrents.
Dogs as Deterrents
Dogs can be very effective as deterrents against crime simply by their presence and their barking. Many burglars and other criminals will avoid properties where dogs are present, as the barking may draw attention and the dog poses an additional obstacle. According to sources, just having a “Beware of Dog” sign can be an effective deterrent against criminals even if you don’t actually have a dog. The barking itself acts as a warning system that someone is on the property.
As one source explains, “The question of dogs as deterrents came up and it was basically explained that barking is the biggest deterrent. Just like they tell you to …Any dog is enough of a deterrent” (Source). The barking alerts neighbors and makes criminals worried about drawing too much unwanted attention.
Certain breeds like Karelian Bear Dogs have been specifically utilized as deterrents for bears and other wildlife. According to one source, “Wildlife departments and non-profits around the country have begun to use Karelian bear dogs as deterrents, but most are funded by donations.” (Source).
Dogs Protect Property
Dogs can help protect homes and property by acting as guard dogs that patrol premises. Studies have shown that the mere presence of a “Beware of Dog” sign can deter potential burglars, even if no dog is actually present (Source). Dogs have an acute sense of hearing and smell that allows them to detect intruders that humans may not notice. When a dog barks to alert its owner of an unfamiliar person on the property, it can scare away criminals.
Experts recommend certain dog breeds like German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, and Rottweilers as good guard dogs because of their size, strength, trainability, and natural protectiveness (Source). With proper training, these dogs can learn to patrol a property and only bark to warn of legitimate threats. Their intimidating presence and loud bark are often enough to make an intruder think twice.
While some dogs have natural protection instincts, any dog that bonds strongly with its family can help keep property safe. Dogs that bark when they hear strange noises or see unfamiliar people can act as an alarm system. Their acute hearing allows them to detect threats that owners may miss. With the right training, dogs can provide an added layer of security by patrolling for intruders.
Dogs Assist Police
Police K9 units provide invaluable services to law enforcement. Dogs have a highly developed sense of smell that allows them to track suspects that have fled a crime scene. According to the National Police Association, studies show that “the presence of police service dogs leads to a significant reduction in violent criminal behavior.” Dogs can follow a scent trail left by a suspect’s skin rafting and perspiration. Their tracking skills allow police to locate suspects who believe they have made a clean getaway.
In addition to tracking, police dogs are expertly trained to detect illicit drugs and explosive materials. A dog’s nose is many times more sensitive than any technology currently in use. Dogs can sniff out drugs, bombs, accelerants, and other materials that may go undetected by less capable means. By leveraging the sensory capabilities of dogs, police gain a crucial advantage in locating dangerous or illegal contraband. According to one source, police dog bites lead thousands of suspects to the emergency room each year. However, their preventative impact on crime is well worth careful training and handling.
Dogs Increase Security
Having a dog can help increase security for their owners and the general community in several ways. Detection Dogs Increase Security in E. Africa. In March 2013, Tian Yia was arrested at Jomo Kenyatta. International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, and charged.7 pages For one, dogs that are walked regularly result in more people out on the streets, providing additional “eyes” to spot any suspicious activity. Dogs also make many owners feel safer when out walking or at home alone. The presence of a dog can deter criminals from targeting homes or individuals. Simply hearing a dog barking inside a house can discourage burglars from attempting to break in. Dogs are very territorial and protective, so criminals view properties with dogs as riskier targets.
There is also evidence that neighborhoods with more dogs have lower crime rates overall. For instance, a study in Baltimore, Maryland found that increasing dog walking by owners was associated with significantly less crime. Having responsible owners walking their dogs more often helped contribute to community safety.
Police and military forces around the world also use trained dogs to help increase security. Bomb-sniffing dogs are essential for detecting explosives in public venues. Tactical dogs assist police in apprehending dangerous suspects or finding missing persons. The presence of police dogs is a powerful deterrent and crime prevention tool.
Limitations
While studies suggest the presence of dogs can deter certain crimes, there are some important limitations to consider:
Many dogs are friendly to strangers and may not actually deter criminal behavior. Some breeds are known for being extremely friendly even with unfamiliar people entering a property. So the mere presence of a dog is not guaranteed to deter crime, especially if the dog is not trained as a guard dog.
Dogs require proper training and attentive care in order to be effective deterrents for criminal behavior. Dogs that are chained or confined without socialization and exercise may become aggressive, but not necessarily protective. Well-trained guard dogs that are properly supervised can deter crime, but neglected or untrained dogs may have little effect.
The deterrent effect also depends on the breed and temperament of each individual dog. Not all dogs are suited for protection, and even some guard dog breeds require extensive training. Relying solely on the presence of dogs for protection has limitations compared to more comprehensive home security measures.
Best Practices
When getting a dog to help prevent crime, there are some best practices to follow:
Choose suitable breeds. Certain breeds like German Shepherds, Rottweilers, and Dobermans are known for being protective and territorial, making them good choices for deterring crime. Make sure to pick a breed that matches your lifestyle and experience level.
Properly train and socialize dogs. Any dog expected to help with security should be professionally trained in obedience and have extensive socialization to learn proper behavior around strangers. Training builds rapport between owner and dog while socialization prevents overprotective tendencies (Guidance on Policies and Practices for Patrol Canines).
Conclusion
In conclusion, the research shows that dogs can help deter crime and increase feelings of security in neighborhoods in several ways. Specifically, dogs act as visible deterrents to would-be criminals, protect private property, and assist police in their duties. The presence of dogs and dog walkers leads to increased street activity and casual surveillance, making neighborhoods less attractive for illegal activities. Offenders have reported avoiding properties with dogs and being deterred by seeing unknown dogs or dog walkers.
However, dogs do have limitations in preventing crime. Much depends on the breed, temperament, and training of individual dogs. Small dogs are less intimidating than large breeds. Some dogs may be perceived as friendly rather than protective. And dogs only provide a deterrent when they are out with owners, so their effect is limited by how often they are walked in the neighborhood.
Overall, responsible dog ownership combined with community engagement can aid crime prevention efforts. But dogs should be seen as one piece of an overall approach, not a complete solution. With reasonable expectations and best practices, neighborhood dogs can make a difference in enhancing safety and security.
References
American Psychological Association. (2022). Reference examples. APA Style. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples
Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (2023). Citing sources: APA citation examples. LibGuides. https://libguides.wpi.edu/citingsources/apa_examples
Further Reading
To learn more about how dogs can help prevent crime, we recommend the following resources:
The official McGruff the Crime Dog website provides background on the iconic McGruff character and his role in promoting crime prevention.
This Wikipedia article gives an overview of McGruff’s history and public service campaigns about crime prevention.
A 2022 study on dogs deterring neighborhood crime is covered in this USA Today article.
We encourage reading books and publications by experts in criminology and community policing to gain more in-depth knowledge on this topic.