Cave dwellers most likely used dogs as a front line defense for “home” secruity. But it is possible that other animals were domesticat4ed for this pupose.
In ancient Greece geese were raised and trained to sound the alarm at the approach of an intruder. In southeast Asia villages pigs were raised for similar purposes.
Hiram Walker, the owner of Ballantine’s whisky distillery in Dumbarton, Scotland chose simplicity for security. From 1959 to 2012 he used a flock of trained geese to guard over the comapny’s their liquor inventory.
The Skansen Zoo in Stockholm, Sweeden was plagued with aftrer hours burglary’s in the late 1970s. A very simple and effective solution was found.
A king cobra was turned loose to roam free at night. At least that is what the media was told. In a press conference a spokesperson for the zoo announced that the night security was a fourteen foot reptile. He specifically noted that a bite was so venomous the victim would die within 15 minutes. It is not known if a cobra was actually released or this was just a brilliant way of tapping to inherent fears.
And of course animals as security systems have been used for illicit purposes over the years. Before legalization of marijuana one of the largest growers and distributors in Castro Valley, California decided that a watch dog was insufficient for the task. So he kept an alligator named Mr. Teeth on a leash to protect inventory.
For centuries the universal desire for home security and the means to meet that need changed little. But with the dawning of the Industrial Revolution in the late 18th century innovation and imaginations were unleashed. On occassion ideas manifested in devices that were as dangerous to the intruder as well as the home owner.
One of these crazy gadgets was the spring gun that was occasionally marketed as a door gun. It was a relatively simple device. A thin single shot gun was mounted to the inside of the door. A tripwire attached to the hammer ran throough a pulley attached to the door knob.
In theory the would be thief would be maimed, killed, or at least given a fright when trying the door. The concept enjoyed a brief period of popularity but as the device was prone to accidental discharge, more practical means of home security were devised.
Though they proved impractical for home security, the spring gun has been a popular option for perimeter protection. These devices have a strange and occasionally macabre history. As an example, in the mid 18th century spring-guns were a popular method for protecting graves from grave robbers.
If you live in the upper Colorado River Valley, and are concerned about home security, you don’t need to find an antique door gun, train geese, or acquire an alligator. You simply need to call the professionls at Baron Services in Bullhead City, Arizona.
From system design to installation and maintenance Baron Services can meet all of your home security needs. They also offer 24/7 monitoring to protect against burglary, fire or medical emergency.
Written by Jim Hinckley of Jim Hinckley’s America