by Michael J Casey

Created on: September 03, 2008   Last Updated: February 10, 2011

I am a Crime Scene Examiner with over 15 years experience on attending crime scenes - in particular, burglary scenes on a daily basis. During my career, I have gained knowledge and passed on advice to victims of crime when asking about home security. Given the choice between a dog or an alarm, my experience tells me a dog is more useful.

I have never been to burglar scene in which there was a large dog such as an Alsatian, Rottweiler etc been present.

Having spoken to burglars in the past as part of my job, I have asked them what actually puts them off when considering a house to break into. The majority reply is a dog. A dog they say, is unpredictable, can bark, bite (or both) and they would feel threatened. Smaller dogs bark but this also causes concern and can alert neighbours.

An alarm is predicable - it sends an audible signal when immediately activated and here in the UK can sound for a maximum for twenty minutes. However, a burglar still in a premises after twenty minutes with all hell sounding is either deaf or just a very poor burglar!

I constantly advise victims that you don't necessarily have to have a dog to ensure safety. I advise reluctant potential dog owners to get 'Beware of the Dog' signs to place on front or rear fencing, place large dog bowls by the back step, place plastic 'chews toys on the back lawn. It s the inference which is the main point; the burglar walks past and does not know you may have a dog or not. It is much cheaper and less time consuming than actually owning a dog!

Incidentally, alarms do not stop a burglar breaking into your home - it just limits the time he can undertake his search inside. If a burglar forces a window and the alarm activates then it is more than likely he will not go further to risk being trapped inside if he is unable to open a door once within. If he forces a door and the alarm activates he is likely to run in, grab something and run straight out with the alarm still ringing. A threat of a dog puts more burglars off.

CCTV have the same effect as alarms in that they record the event as it happens and let you know what the burglar was up to - after you have come home and he has gone!

I attend more burglary scenes that have alarms than those which have dogs.
I go to fewer attempted burglaries to homes with dogs than with alarms. Remember, many people also use dummy alarm boxes. Burglars like to test this theory. It is less risky than testing if there is a dog in the home.

In addition to pros of having a dog, it is useful outside the home. It can guard the family whilst giving happiness and a sense of security. What is cost over peace of mind?

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