Pa. police dog suspended for potential racism:

Feb. 3, 2004 | MCKEES ROCKS, Pa. (AP) -- A police dog has been suspended while investigators try to determine whether the animal has something against black children.

The dog, a German shepherd named Dolpho, was cleared two years ago of attacking a child because he was black. But Dolpho was removed from duty on Monday after biting another black child.

Dolpho attacked a 14-year-old black girl on Jan. 28 during a crime-prevention demonstration at a school but did not break the youngster's skin. The girl's parents said a white student petted the dog without incident before he attacked their daughter.


I don't understand why this dog isn't retired from police service regardless of the investigation's findings, just as a precaution. Are the McKees Rocks PD weighing the cost of another trained police dog versus the cost of possible litigation? I mean, it's not as if they'd have to fund the dog's pension.

I can't help but be reminded of Sam Fuller's legendary (and legendarily difficult to find) film White Dog, about a dog that was trained to hate blacks. It starred Kristy McNichol, of all people, and was based on a Romain Gary article in Life magazine. No, I've never seen it-- If you've seen it, let me know.