Citizen Canine: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs

by David Grimm

Cats and dogs were once wild animals. Today, they are family members and surrogate children. A little over a century ago, pets didn't warrant the meager legal status of property. Now, they have more rights and protections than any other animal in the country. Some say they're even on the verge of becoming legal persons.

How did we get here—and what happens next?

In this fascinating exploration of the changing status of dogs and cats in society, pet lover and award-winning journalist David Grimm traces the rich and surprising history of our favorite companion animals, from their wild origins to their dark days in the middle ages to their current standing as the most valued animals on Earth. As he travels across the country—riding along with Los Angeles detectives as they investigate animal cruelty cases, touring the devastation of New Orleans as he searches for the animal survivors of Hurricane Katrina, and coming face to face with wolves and feral cats—Grimm explores the changing social attitudes that have transformed pets into family members, and the remarkable laws and court cases that have elevated them to quasi citizens.

The journey to citizenship isn't a smooth one, however. As Grimm finds, there's plenty of opposition to the rising status of cats and dogs. From scientists and farmers worried that our affection for pets could spill over to lab rats and livestock to philosophers who say the only way to save society is to wipe cats and dogs from the face of the earth, the battle lines are being drawn. We are entering a new age of pets-one that will not only fundamentally change our relationship with these animals, but transform society itself.

For pet lovers or anyone interested in how we decide who gets the coveted status of "person", Citizen Canine is a must read. It is a pet book like no other.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Animals, Science, Cats, Nature, Audiobook

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2014

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Grimm utilizes his skills obtained from his career at Science to write an empathetic and thought provoking work. Animals were once wild, living as modern day wolves and wild cats, but eventually domesticated by the human species. We see our canine and feline friends as family, equally important as our children and spouses. We would save them first from burning buildings, and withstand atrocious circumstances with our furred family before abandoning them. How did this giant leap from feral animal to trusted member of the clan come about? What does this mean for their legal and social status in our communities? How will this affect the future of animal welfare, medicine and relationships in respect to their human "guardians"?

The status of cats and dogs is changing with new ideas about animals developing from scientific studies, and a burgeoning animal "parent" population. Thanks to the modern era of kitty litter, vaccinations and spay/neuter operations, the number of animal friendly households has doubled. The effect of this "animal friendly" movement has even affected police and military work, given rise to therapy animals and the coining of a new experimental legal position "living property".

Grimm looks at the suffering, joyfulness and even the fear that human beings experience in the name of the two most domesticated animals. He looks at the lack of understanding surrounding the pit bull craze has affected both the breed and those who would love them.

He discusses certain factions that believe animals have become parasites on human societies, and extermination is a plausible and necessary action to preserve human beings.

With the help of several leading figures in animal welfare, training, animal lawyers, Animal Legal Defense Fund and theorists Grimm follows the historic path of our furry children to modern day, and their plight towards becoming a person, or equal partner in a world of human "superiority".

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to learn about the history of the domesticated pet, the history of welfare organizations and the effect that these organizations have had on the positive light in which we see our pets.

[Tina Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone who is just bonkers for her dog and cries with regularity just over the thought of her passing one day, I loved the section titled "Family." I also appreciated learning the evolution of pets' legal rights over the past century and absolutely agree that the law cannot only see them as property that people can easily dispense in cases of emergency and evacuation.

However, my strongest criticism lies with Grimm's constant comparison of pets' rights to civil rights for human beings, specifically African Americans. Although he acknowledges that "it may seem like a stretch to keep comparing the journey of cats and dogs to that of African Americans," I feel there is no comparison to make if one digs just an inch past the surface of what we learn in fifth grade history class. Grimm's privileged, "top-down" perspective would have us believe that "we" (i.e. white men - the "neutral" framework) generously granted personhood and equal rights to oppressed groups out of our own enlightened development. Writing phrases like "... once considered wild animals, then declared property, and finally granted personhood," to describe African Americans, the author draws inadequate, short-sighted, and embarrassing parallels; he completely ignores the brave, smart actions of African Americans and women to advocate, fight, and die for their rights. Animals do not, and will never, actively demand rights and, only through people have they acquired any.

Grimm didn't have to go there to make his point and the book would have been all the better for it without this frustrating distraction.

[☕Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for free through the Goodreads First Reads program, and I found it to be an extremely interesting account of the changing status of dogs and cats in society from the time they first became domesticated thousands of years ago to the present day in which many actually consider them their children. The author presents a very balanced view of the myriad issues involved in whether we treat pets as property or as something more, possibly even persons from a legal standpoint. He introduces us to many individuals who are "in the trenches" so to speak with regards to these issues, from police officers to lawyers to vets to animal rescuers. These individuals often have opposing and sometimes radical views on how we should view our pets, offering up lots of food for thought and leaving the reader to consider where we should draw the line. A very thought-provoking and highly recommended read.

[Pankaj Goyal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an e-book from Netgalley.

Dogs and cats play a very important role in people’s lives today. People not only love and pamper them but even treat them like their own children. In other words, these animals have become an inseparable part of our family. Now, these animals have more rights and protection than any other animal in the world. How did this happen? How these animals (which were once wild in nature) became humans’ best friends and companions? How these animals are on the verge of becoming legal persons? The book under review tries to explore these issues.

Today a large number of books and articles on dogs and cats are available (particularly on dogs). However, a large number of these are technical and scientific writings, and do not attract the laypersons. There was a long felt need of a book which treats the scientific and complicated subject on dogs and cats in a simpler manner. This book, I feel, has somewhat been successful in accomplishing this need. 'Citizen Canines: Our Evolving Relationship with Cats and Dogs' by David Grimm is a remarkable book that succeeds admirably in its purpose of synthesising the emergence of domestic dogs and cats from their wild counterparts. There are very few scholars in the world who have presented such a broad overview of both dogs and cats as has been done by Grimm.

The book is divided into three sections: Family, Person and Citizen. The first section uncovers how dogs and cats became a part of our family. The second traces the legal evolution of dogs and cats from valueless objects to being on the precipice of personhood. And finally the third section tries to explore the future of these pets in present day society where social and legal revolutions are playing an important role. These three sections, when considered together, successfully trace the evolution of domestic dogs and cats from wild animals to quasi-citizens.

In writing serious scientific books, the major difficulty lies not so much in what to include as in what to leave out. David Grimm has chosen the subjects of the book very carefully. The author not only deals with the earliest archaeological evidences of domestic dogs and cats but also tries to understand the various processes that led to the domestication of these animals. This has been done in a lucid language. The topics like the deification of cats by the Egyptians, the mourning of dogs by the Romans and the mass slaughter of felines in Medieval Europe have been presented in a beautiful manner. The author also tries to understand the cognitive abilities of dogs and cats. This is an important inclusion in the book as studying canine cognition gives us a chance to understand how our own intellect evolved.

The author finds, however, that the journey of domestic dogs and cats from the wild to citizenship isn’t a smooth one. The author, in this fascinating exploration of the changing status of dogs and cats, finds that there is plenty of opposition to the raising status of dogs and cats. According to the author, humans are now entering a new stage of pet-ones that will not only change our relationship with these animals but also will transform the society itself.

David Grimm’s book provides a wealth of first-hand information on both dogs and cats. I am glad that I chose to read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and would highly recommend it. It is not only a valuable read for people who love dogs and cats but also for archaeologists, zoologists, historians and people who love to read about animals. What I liked most about the book is author’s use of real life events to explore the history of our relationship with dogs and cats.

[Brian Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grimm tracks the rise of law and policy concerning animal rights, painting several tooth-gritting portraits in courage of activists over the past 150 years. Then the rather intricate legal and philosophical questions arise of where legal rights, or legal personhood, for animals should or should not go. It's a book not just for people who feel strongly about animals, but for people who want to really think about the planet's future.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're looking for a good overview of the evolving role of cats and dogs in our society, this is it. David Grimm does a terrific job covering the past, present, and possible future of the relationship between people and their dogs and cats in a way that is both informative and entertaining.

Grimm covers many of the major issues of interest to animal lovers, including animal cognition, anti-cruelty laws, animal rights, breed bans, TNR, and much more. There are moments that might be difficult for animal lovers to read about, such as the fate of the pets that were abandoned in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina (often due to pressure from those managing the evacuation) and various acts of cruelty toward animals. (There's one paragraph in particular related to the activities of the L.A. anti-cruelty task force that Grimm warns his readers about--I wish I'd listened.) Overall, though, his message is a positive one. It's clear that we have come a long way in our treatment of animals, from a time when dogs and cats weren't even regarded as valuable enough to be considered property to the modern perception of our pets as occupying a status not unlike that of children.

Highly recommended!

An ARC of this novel was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[HoopoeGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating read. There was so much more content in here than I expected and while, admittedly, it is a long read to get through (definitely recommend having a companion fun book to ease the non-fiction of it all), it is well worth it. The most illuminating section for me was definitely the domestic evolution of cats & dogs. Also compelling was his coverage on the evolution of the relationship we have with our pets and the catalyst that was Katrina. Thank you federal government for finally recognizing the importance of that bond and setting into law the need to accommodate it. As much as I love my pets, I can't get behind the citizenship aspect of the book, so the final section of the book rather dragged for me. Pets are family, not property, but until they can actively engage in a self-aware conversation with us, that's a line in the sand I'm not ready to cross.

In the meantime though, we should all be grateful to the professionals and volunteers out there who remain committed to seeing that pets (and other animals) receive the most humane lives they can.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read my full review: http://bit.ly/1qNXgFg

My opinion: As a lover and spoiler of pets, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

On that note, it is a very good, but also a particularly dry read. I broke the book down into "daily read" sections because of the amount of detail provided.

Parts of the book had a schizophrenic feeling because the author jumped from dogs to cats to other animals at times when it didn't feel appropriate and/or necessary.

I loved the history part of the book more than the genetics/animal husbandry part. I thought the latter felt to bogged down with technical detail.

I like to give fair warnings of tough periods of reading. This book can be graphic and emotion provoking as it describes "cases" of inhumanity of how we got to where we are in animal laws.

[Laurie]

I've always had pets growing up. As a child, my dog was like my brother to me but just a dog to my parents. I never understood why they didn't feel the same way about him as I did. Now as an adult, our cats and our dog are very much a part of the family. We call ourselves their parents, brothers and sister. It was refreshing to read this book and learn so much more about the pets we've come to love. It's nice to know we're not alone.

[H. P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pets are booming. Dog and cat ownership has quadrupled since the mid-60s and more households have dogs or cats than children. How we as a society view dogs and cats has changed rapidly as well. It’s that change, and the change in how the law views pets, that is Grimm’s focus.

Grimm starts with a short history of domestication. Not much changed in how we viewed pets, and animals in general, until the birth of animal rights in the Nineteenth Century. Even then, “[b]efore 1986, only four states had felony anticruelty laws. . . . Today, forty-nine states have felony anticruelty legislation on their books.”

Grimm’s most powerful and moving chapter is on Katrina. “Nearly half the Gulf Coast residents who didn’t evacuate during Katrina stayed because of their pets.” Story after story is told of residents who refused to get in the boat with rescue workers, who only agreed after promises regarding the pets were made, and who saw their pets tossed overboard. The aftermath forced policymakers to realize that emergency evacuation plans now have to account for pets.

Grimm touches on the dark side of animal rights activism, although he never quite throws the opprobrium at it that it deserves. The very first organized “animal rights” movement led to euthanasia on an industrial scale. The Humane Society of the United States supported the extermination of feral cats until 2006. I’m talking about the sort of people who “love dogs” but “if there were two dogs left in the world” wouldn’t let them breed.

Grimm also all too casually—and without any examination—repeatedly compares animal rights to the Civil Rights Movement. Setting aside the inherent racism, the comparison isn’t apt. Unlike blacks, animals can’t speak for or organize themselves. Children’s rights is a more apt comparison, although most children have some ability to give their own thoughts on the matter. As seen in the preceding paragraph, when animal rights activists take animals’ lives into their own hands they far too often value those lives far too cheaply. A modified traditional, property-based, approach to animal rights makes the most sense because it is owners that have better motivation and information to act in the best interests of their pets than anyone else. Grimm doesn’t seem to see this, though.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of Citizen Canine through NetGalley.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the past few years, I have read at least 75 books about dogs, so when a new dog book comes out, I kind of assume that I’ve already read some iteration of it before. But this has proven to be a false assumption with David Grimm’s new book, Citizen Canine.

Grimm explores the fast-paced and monumental success of American pets to become the most legally protected animals in the country. Given Americans’ deep love of their dogs and cats, and the billions of dollars a year we shell out on them, it is no longer surprising to hear that we consider our pets to be valid members of our families. But what does this mean for us as a culture? And what does it mean for the dogs and cats? Grimm talks with scientists, canine researchers, animal shelters, law enforcement, inmates, and everyday pet lovers as he unpacks this significant modern conundrum. He presents us with an array of ponderous questions: What kind of emotions do animals feel? Should the punishments for animal abuse be equal to those of child abuse? How far do we take the “personhood” movement for pets? And what about all of the other animals, who aren’t lucky enough to live in our homes and sleep in our beds? What kind of obligations do we owe them? It’s dizzying to even begin to think about, but it’s an important consideration for those of us who willingly share our lives — and our pocketbooks — with these beloved, domesticated creatures.

Some of the researchers (such as Marc Bekoff, Brian Hare, and Alexandra Horowitz) and their opinions recounted in the book are already very familiar to me, but they provide important context to Grimm’s exploration of the topic. His chapter on pit bull hysteria is also particularly excellent, providing a great deal of historical and contemporary context. It’s a well-researched and well-documented book, and Grimm does a superb job balancing a variety of perspectives here.

Heartily recommended for any intellectual US pet owner who has ever thought about the philosophical, legal, and cultural implications of pets as members of a human family.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Grimm's Citizen Canine is a fascinating exploration of the meaning of Cats & Dogs (pets) in modern day American Society, particularly in the realm of Law & Science. He briefly traces the history of domestication, then draws on specific events that had profound effects on the legal status of pets –such as Hurricane Katrina, pet custody in divorce cases, deceased owners leaving their fortunes to their furry companions, numerous other pioneering court decisions, and the introduction of never before contemplated State and Federal legislatures. Of course, there are descenders who decry these efforts such as veterinarians being held accountable by increasingly harsh penalties for malpractice, cost of which extends to beyond the value of the animal. Then there's the biomedical and the agricultural industry that fear the day pet personhood may extend to animals they use in the laboratory or slaughterhouse.

As a deputy news editor at Science, Grimm's research is extraordinary through, however, the organization and flow of the book can be a bit disorganized. Although he explains at the beginning that he arranged the book into three sections: Family, Person, Citizen; he repeats certain facts numerous times, and his interviews with individuals are broken up to accommodate his topics. It makes some chapters seem more like chopped up essays.

Overall, I did find the book very engaging. That might be due to my budding interest in the legal system and my background in common law studies. After all, I did finish it in one day - granted I was on a plane.

[Jakob Masic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throughly enjoyed every page of this book. Traveling through history of the rise and falls of our fur babies was exhilarating and very often heartbreaking.
I find it unusual that so many people in this world go to great lengths to prove the worth of animals, and why they mean so much to a great majority of us. My answer is simply LOVE.
I find I connect to greater and deeper lengths with animals rather then with humans. Not just now in an age where technology has taken the art of eye contact and replaced it with a blind trust that our screens hold all the answers. Not to say that our animals do, but when I look into their eyes I find a deeper understanding of myself, and my purpose in life. Some might say this is delusional, I say LOVE cannot be classified, only understood.
I understand that having lived with several cats in my life, I would do anything for them because they are family and apart of me. A bond shared without words, but not without meaning. All my LOVE to Speedy, Charlie, Crystal, Buzz and now Emma. You all shed a very special light inside me, I am forever grateful.

[Dianne J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrifically interesting read. Grimm covers the history of our favorite pets from 30,000 BC to current day, from wild to domesticated farm workers and body guards to companions, service animals and finally family members.

So much information I had never heard before that fills in some of the gaps in history. 1233 Pope Gregory IX linked cats to Satan, resulting in the killing of millions of cats in Europe. Without cats to kills the rats . . . 1348-1351 the Black Plague killed half of the population in Europe.

Henry Bergh created the first child protective agency in NY. The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was created within a decade after Bergh founded the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals [ASPCA].

Grimm also covers the rising field of animals' rights law and the debate on whether to classify our pets as property or citizens or perhaps living property.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lived this book. Well written and highly informative, I often found myself unable to put it down. Grimm delves into the history of dogs and cats and explores the theories of how they came to be domesticated. From there he explores the history and evolution of these animals - from wild animals not even afforded the legal protections afforded to people's property thru the increasing number of rights and protections given to animals and their caregivers.

Be warned, though. As is typical of our legal system, many of the rights are granted only after terrible injustice and inhumane cruelty is bright to light. Some of the stories shared are heartwrenching and horrifying. I found myself sobbing and feeling emotionally distressed more than once in the course of this book.

[Schmidleysscribblins.wordpress.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most emotionally draining books I have ever read. If you love animals, especially dogs, this is a must read book. But be warned it is full of the crimes humans have committed against dumb creatures, including the abandonment of pets during Hurricane Katrina, dog fighting, the fate of military service dogs, custody battles by divorcing 'parents' and other atrocities. The author also describes the court cases, laws, jurisprudence associated with those crimes. Many humans continue to abuse animals. Animal abuse is linked to human abuse. Serial killers like Jeffry Dahmner began by torturing animals.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so readable! When I think of all the research that went into this book and then consider how well written it is...well organized, concise, interesting...I'm blown away! I don't think too critically about anything anymore, but this book really gets you...thinking! I should have known not to read certain passages relating to the pets who suffered during Hurricane Katrina...I had nightmares for days after watching a documentary several years ago...but I read them anyway and sure enough that's where my thoughts turned when I went to sleep the other night. Anyway, as one who adores my pet and can't imagine a world without animals, this was a great read.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Given David Grimm's position as the online editor of Science , I had originally thought this book would be about the molecular genetics of domestication. Then I went to a reading at the Ivy Bookshop, and realized that I was not like the other people there.

But this book does do an excellent job explaining a number of social trends I have observed. Like it or not, the next civil rights battle is for dogs and cats.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were plenty of thought provoking ideas buried in this book. The history of how dogs and cats became domesticated, came into our homes, and now fill an emotional void for people without spouses or children. A look at how how our pets sometimes seen as members of society with legal rights. But there was so much in this book that was dull, dry, boring historical fact that it was hard to get through. Even harder were the chapters on cruelty to animals.

[Caroline Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Citizen Canine is a fascinating and provocative book that is a must read for anyone who has shared a home with a companion animal. I could not put this book down.

[Barb]

So dry it made me thirsty.

[Sarah Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Very interesting the journey cats & dogs have taken through history, from wild ancestry through to pets with legal rights.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough tour through history and the movements afoot in the field of animal welfare. I learned a great deal about the issue.

[Ape · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will forever be one of my favorite books in life! I read this book so slowly so it wouldn’t end, and i cannot wait to reread it!

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting read. It left me with many issues to ponder.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book on the history, and current state, of pets. Issue of civil rights for pets is perhaps treated a little too seriously.

[Jiajia Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first few chapters was very informative and interesting. I saw a bit Jared diamond's shadow in the first two chapters. Then it got boring.

[Andra · Rating 4 out of 5]

quite thought provoking

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, covers a lot of legal issues. Light reading

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don't have to be a pet lover to find Citizen Canine fascinating. How did dogs (and to a much lesser extent, cats) go from wild animals to helpers to family? Grimm looks at the dog through a variety of lenses, legal, cultural, social. To what extend does a dog have "personhood"? What are the responsibilities that go along with the rights we grant them? Grimm talks with a wide variety of perspectives, including the abolition of dogs and cats as a whole and why vets are opposed to "personhood", in an exploration of our relationship with dogs. The 1920s, surprisingly, was really a big decade of change, which I hadn't really thought of before.