Robert Armstrong, Canis

Canis

Robert Armstrong

IUniverse, Jan 2004, $17.75, 256 pp.

ISBN: 0595147038

In 1993 Houston, Duncan MacDonell runs the Animal Regulation and Care section similar to when he served in the military although his superior in the health department thinks of him as the head dog catcher. He insures his ninety-eight employees receive proper training and has hired former military K9 trainer Janie Longley as a special instructor. In spite of his and his department's successes, the politicos still use his group as dumpsters when the public complains about animals running wild on the streets.

While visiting street person Alexander Pitkin, owner of numerous dogs, a giant canine attacks Duncan and dents his front driver's door. Not long afterward, a wild dog described as the size of a gorilla starts killing people. As panic sets in and the politicians blame Duncan though they offer neither solutions nor proper funding, he investigates the gorilla dog assaults not realizing how close to home the truth is.

This is an exciting thriller that provides the audience insight into the politics of animal control in a big city that will shock readers as Dr. Robert Armstrong takes a major bite out of the butt of city leadership's indifference until a public uproar. The gorilla dog provides suspense and Duncan and his support leadership are a delightful cast. However, what makes CANIS a bark above the typical animal chiller is the atmosphere that the "dog catcher" squad must work within especially when two faced city hall is involved.

Harriet Klausner