Social Control and Dogs: A Sociohistorical Analysis
Between the 1991 Gulf War and the 1996 bombing at the Atlanta Olympics Centennial Park, the public is becoming increasingly aware of the potential dangers of public spaces at home and abroad. Federal efforts designed to deal with the threat of terrorism and to quell fear have included the 1996 Anti-Terrorism Act with its provisions for severe penalties for terrorism along with funds for the increased use of high-tech surveillance equipment. At the local level including courts, hospitals, and schools, physical barriers and bomb- and weapon-detecting monitors have become commonplace. Dogs often are overlooked in the efforts to protect public space. This article addresses the history of dogs as an agent of social control and offers suggestions for further research.