Beware of the dog explained

Beware of the dog (also rendered as Beware of dog) is a warning sign posted at the entrance to a building or other private area indicating that a dangerous dog is within. Such signs may be placed to deter burglary even if there is no dog, or if the dog is not actually a competent guard dog.

History

Warning signs of this sort have been found in ancient Roman buildings such as the House of the Tragic Poet in Pompeii, which contains a mosaic with the caption (pronounced as /la/). The Roman work Satyricon, written by Petronius, includes a passage mentioning the phrase painted on a wall with large letters, in the chapter Dinner with Trimalchio.[1]

Philippians 3:2 is translated as "beware of the dogs" or "beware of dogs" in the King James Bible and many other editions.[2] For example:

This is often interpreted as a euphemism, bad people having been described as dogs in a number of previous biblical passages.[3] Nonetheless, the yard signs are sometimes alluded to in reference to the passage.[4] [5] The use of such signs in the Roman world may have influenced the author of the passage,[6] and conversely the passage may have influenced the wording of the more modern yard signs.[7]

Law

Under English law, placing such a sign does not relieve the owner of responsibility for any harm which may come to people attacked by the dog. Where a company employs the services of a guard dog, Section 1(3) of the Guard Dogs Act 1975 requires "a notice containing a warning that a guard dog is present is clearly exhibited at each entrance to the premises."[8] In many cases, security signs integrate both CCTV warnings and Guard Dog warnings into the same signage.[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Petronius . Satyricon.
  2. https://biblehub.com/philippians/3-2.htm ◄ Philippians 3:2 ► Bible Hub
  3. https://www.globalchurchofgod.co.uk/why-to-beware-of-dogs/ Why to Beware of Dogs?
  4. http://biblewatchman.com/barkk.htm Warning: Beware of Dogs
  5. https://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-philippians-3-12-16.htm Onward & Upward: Philippians 3:12-16
  6. https://books.google.com/books?id=5N3fAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA563&lpg=PA563&dq=bible+%22beware+of+dog%22+philippians+sign The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament
  7. https://spartalive.com/beware-of-dogs/ Beware of dogs
  8. Web site: Guard Dogs Act 1975. www.legislation.gov.uk. 2019-08-17.
  9. Web site: Site Security Sign. securitysignage.co.uk. 2019-08-17. 2021-07-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20210730051447/http://securitysignage.co.uk/. dead.