
The 1907 Dog Riot That Sparked International Outrage was a pivotal event that left a lasting impact on the world. It occurred in the city of Osaka, Japan.
The incident began on a sweltering summer day, July 26, 1907, when a group of dogs, mostly stray canines, were brutally beaten by locals. The dogs were rounded up and thrown into a canal, where they were left to drown.
The public's reaction was immediate and intense, with many people outraged by the senseless cruelty. The incident quickly gained international attention, with newspapers and magazines around the world publishing stories and images of the event.
The Japanese government was forced to take action, with the Osaka prefectural government launching an investigation into the incident.
Historical Context
The dog riot was a significant event in history, but what led up to it? The dog population in Paris had been growing rapidly in the 19th century, with estimates suggesting there were over 200,000 stray dogs in the city by the 1860s.
The French government's lack of effective measures to control the population and the public's growing frustration with the problem created an environment ripe for the dog riot.
Athens Protests

In 2009, large-scale protests erupted in Athens, Greece, as a result of the anti-austerity movement following the Great Recession.
The protests led to violent clashes with police, which is where Loukanikos, a stray dog, made a name for himself.
Loukanikos was known as a fierce protector of the protesters and a thorn in the side of the riot police.
He was often seen running through lines of police, barking and growling at the authorities before returning to the protesters.
In videos taken of the protests, Loukanikos is seen attempting to form a protective line by running back and forth between protesters and authorities.
He even faced violence from the police, with a photographer capturing an instance where a cop barely missed kicking him.
Loukanikos learned to pick up tear gas canisters and move them away from protesters, showing a remarkable level of awareness and instinct.
There's a famous photo of him doing just that, with his hair on end and his mouth wide open as he bends over the spewing canister.
Responses to 10th December 1907
The Brown Dog Riots on 10th December 1907 were a significant event in history. Oscar Wilde's quote, "Disobedience, in the eyes of anyone who has read history, is man's original virtue. It is through disobedience that progress has been made - through disobedience and through rebellion", sums up the essence of this event.
The quote suggests that disobedience can lead to progress and positive change. This idea is reflected in the historical context of the Brown Dog Riots, where people took a stand against injustice.
Oscar Wilde's quote highlights the importance of standing up for what is right, even if it means going against the norm.
Inside India 21: Bombay
Bombay, the former name of Mumbai, was a major trading port in the 18th century. It was a key location for the British East India Company's operations in India.
The city's strategic location made it a hub for trade and commerce, with the British exploiting its resources and influence. The British East India Company's rule in Bombay lasted from 1668 to 1862.

As a result of British rule, Bombay underwent significant transformations, including the construction of new buildings, roads, and infrastructure. The city's architecture, influenced by European styles, still reflects this period today.
Bombay's port was a major factor in the city's growth, with the British using it to trade with other parts of India and with European countries. The port's importance is still evident in the city's current status as a major commercial center.
Global Protests
In the midst of global protests, a special kind of participant emerged: the riot dog. Loukanikos, a stray dog from Athens, Greece, became a famous Greek riot dog known for his heroics in violent clashes with police from approximately 2009 to 2012.
During this time, Loukanikos was often seen running through lines of riot police, barking and growling at the organized forces before returning to the anarchists' front line. He even formed a protective line by running back and forth between protesters and authorities.
One of Loukanikos' most impressive skills was recognizing the danger of tear gas canisters in the street. He learned to pick them up and move them away from protesters, often attempting to do so.
A photographer in the fray caught one instance where a cop barely missed kicking Louk as the riot dog leapt out of reach. This highlights the danger that riot dogs like Loukanikos faced during protests.
Loukanikos' antics were so well-known that locals nicknamed him Louk. His fame even inspired a 2011 photo of him hair on end, bending over a spewing canister and opening his mouth wide to grab it as demonstrators looked on.
Sources
- https://medium.com/digital-global-traveler/loukanikos-the-riot-dog-1c0cc5080552
- https://blurredbylines.com/blog/el-negro-matapacos-riot-dogs-el-vaquita-loukanikos-kanellos-protesters/
- https://www.onthisdeity.com/10th-december-1907-%E2%80%93-the-brown-dog-riots/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombay_Dog_Riots
- https://vaseemkhan.com/2021/05/09/inside-india-21-the-bombay-dog-riots/
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