In anthropologist Edward Hall’s 1976 book Beyond Culture,  he describes a story of a wild dog that lived on the small, otherwise uninhabited island of Ruffle Bar, which is just off the coast of Brooklyn and Long Island. The dog, nicknamed “The King of Ruffle Bar,” seemed to be in good health and had sustained itself for about two years. Some well meaning person heard about the dog and reported it to the local ASPCA. That’s when the bureaucratic wheels began to spin into motion.

Officials became very concerned with capturing the dog, even going as far as using a helicopter to hover over the island daily. It continued to evade police, eventually attracting a national audience as the they continued in vain to corner him. The New York Times reported that police stated the dog “looked in good shape.” Indeed, the police had been aware of the dog for at least two years prior and were content to leave him on the island. “Why don’t they leave the dog alone?” one officer asked. “The dog is as happy as a pig in a puddle.”

Representatives for the ASPCA said, “When we catch the dog, we will have it examined by a vet, and if it is in good health, we will find a happy home for it.” (Italics added) Read More »