WHOOZA GOOD BOY? Study shows neighborhoods with dogs see less serious crime

It’s already known that having a dog can deter home robberies — even a small dog can make for an alert homeowner, which most crooks tend to avoid. 

However, according to a new study from The Ohio State University, neighborhoods that have more dogs actually see lower rates of murder and assault, too. 

And it’s not just a dog’s barking that keeps homes, and dog-filled neighborhoods, safer, the researchers found. People who have dogs walk them through their neighborhoods.

“People walking their dogs are essentially patrolling their neighborhoods,” the study’s lead author, doctoral student Nicolo Pinchak, explains. “They see when things are not right, and when there are suspect outsiders in the area. It can be a crime deterrent.”

However, the reduction in the crime rates were really noticeable in neighborhoods that had more dogs AND more trust between the people who live there. 

“Trust doesn’t help neighborhoods as much if you don’t have people out there on the streets noticing what is going on. That’s what dog walking does,” Pinchak explains. “And that’s why dogs have a crime-fighting advantage over cats and other pets that don’t need walking.”

“When people are out walking their dogs, they have conversations, they pet each other’s dogs. Sometimes they know the dog’s name and not even the owners. They learn what’s going on and can spot potential problems,” the study author says.