Beasts on the Streets: Dogs and Biosecurity in London, New York and Paris, c.1860-1940. (360G-Wellcome-109404_Z_15_Z)

Scholars are paying increasing attention to the meaning, status and role of animals: research into One Medicine and the role of animals in medical and psychological therapies, as well as ongoing interest in the histories of zoonotic diseases, is shedding light on the presence of animals within the medical humanities. My research contributes to the emerging conversation between animal studies, urban history and the history of medicine by exploring the transnational relationships between humans a nd dogs in London, New York and Paris from c.1860 to 1940. Drawing on the analytical perspectives of biosecurity and nonhuman agency, as well as extensive archival research, it will uncover the often medicalized human responses and attitudes towards canine attributes and abilities, such as biting, movement, digestion, and intelligence, and the concomitant practices that emerged to control, contain or harness dogs in order to secure urban public space. I have so far completed my Paris research an d have made good progress on working through the London archival materials, as well as undertaken a preliminary research trip to New York. I am now seeking a Small Grant to complete my archival research in London and New York. The projects final output will be a monograph.