Material Type

Artifact

Other Name

KONG

Date Range From

1981

Date Range To

1994

Materials

RUBBER

No. Pieces

1

Height

9.6

Diameter

6.3

Description

KONG. HOLLOW, BLACK, RUBBER TOY. BEEHIVE SHAPED WITH THREE TIERS. RUBBER IS FLAKING AND SOILED.

Subjects

ANIMAL HUSBANDRY T&E

Historical Association

SAFETY SERVICES

LEISURE

History

ACCORDING TO INSPECTOR BILL KAYE, WHO USED THE KONG IN CONJUNCTION WITH HIS POLICE SERVICE DOG, ZORKO, IT IS A TOY. HE SAID, 'FOR YEARS YOU THROW BALLS FOR DOGS AND EVERYONE HAS HAD A BALL OR STICK... [THE KONG BOUNCED UNPREDICTABLY SO IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS MORE FUN FOR THE DOG - HE LIKED CHASING IT. WE HAVE ACTUALLY GONE AWAY AND WE ARE NOT USING THEM ANYMORE FOR THAT EXACT REASON. WE THINK THAT SOME OF OUR DOGS' ELBOW JOINT AND HIP JOINT OR LEG PROBLEMS ARE COMING FROM THOSE SUDDEN MOVEMENTS SO WE HAVE GONE BACK TO A PREDICTABLE BALL." THIS KONG BELONGED TO ZORKO FOR MANY YEARS SO IT IS WELL WORN. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY OF ZORKO AND THE CANINE UNIT SEE P20080008001. FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE PERMANENT FILE.

Catalogue Number

P20080008007

Acquisition Date

2007-01

Collection

Museum

Less detail