8 december 1968 & police dog attacks children

#OTD-ish 8 December 1968 This dog, a member of the police department’s Canine Corps, jumps over a fence ready to attack the children on the other side of the fence. The children are frightened and attempt to run away.

There are articles in white-owned newspapers, including the Evening Star, about children as young as four and five being frightened by the primarily white male police force. With the deployment of dogs as weapons, the police department extended this fear of police to the fear of dogs.

Your comments are welcome below. Did you, family members or neighbors hear about this attack? Were you one of the children? Do you remember hearing about the canine corps? Did you have a dog in your home in 1968? Were you afraid of dogs? You may comment privately here.

Photo source: Courtesy DC Public Library Special Collections. 27 February 1968. Ken Heinen, photographer.