Dog catchers: A descriptive study

Utilizing techniques of participant observation & interviewing, an ethnographic account of the occupational duties performed by dog catchers (N = 11) is presented. Catchers' basic duties include patrolling for "at large" animals, answering nuisance calls by citizens, & performing tasks as "zoological garbage collectors." Occupational techniques & "tricks of the trade" are described for this low-status occupation. Techniques used by the chief animal warden to decrease attrition of employees are explored, along with catchers' occupational images, problems in role performance & coping mechanisms developed to handle such problems. A taxonomy of problematic human/animal relations giving rise to the creation of the occupations, as well as a brief history, is presented. AA.