The map fits perfectly with Zodiac’s expalantion. However I still can’t get over the fact that the dogs would be in an entirely wrong direction! If they gave the dogs a scent at the Stine scene, they should have been led right to Zodiac. The traces were fresh.
Wouldn’t the dogs have been too late either way though?
They weren’t scent dogs.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
Wouldn’t the dogs have been too late either way though?
The scent can linger for a surprisingly long time. It was within hours that they brought the dogs on the scene, I think. And it did not rain. So the track would still be very clear to the dogs.
They weren’t scent dogs.
Well this explains everything.
By the positioning of the dogs, did the police suspect he ran up Arguello and into the Presidio right there?
Wouldn’t the dogs have been too late either way though?
The scent can linger for a surprisingly long time. It was within hours that they brought the dogs on the scene, I think. And it did not rain. So the track would still be very clear to the dogs.
They weren’t scent dogs.
Well this explains everything.
I’ll try and find the article where that was discussed. Seemed like a given they would be. I mean, all dogs (generally) have a strong sense of smell, but if I remember correctly, it was an SF cop (in an interview) who said those dogs weren’t trained for tracking.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
You’d assume the thought was the guy was hiding in the woods and the dogs would corner him.
And sorry for the dumb question, but if they were tracking dogs in addition, would the idea be they would follow his scent to his exit point and gain some insight from that?
If that really worked, you’d think you’d see more tracking dogs employed at crime scenes.
Separately, at the very least, you would have hoped a dispatcher had the sense to monitor the Presidio Ave and Broadway exits.
And did they get the MP’s involved?
They (supposedly) weren’t tracking dogs though…in that sense.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
Right, I guess my question is, would it have mattered?
Right, I guess my question is, would it have mattered?
Sorry if I misunderstood. Good question.
“…they may be dealing with one or more ersatz Zodiacs–other psychotics eager to get into the act, or perhaps even other murderers eager to lay their crimes at the real Zodiac’s doorstep.“ L.A. Times, 1969
My other thought though (48 years too late obviously!) is why didn’t SFPD alert the Presidio military police?
The MP’s could have had the Presidio entrances secured in about 90 seconds. That wouldn’t be foolproof of course, but it would make it harder to exit, especially on the east side, without at least climbing a fence.
The MP’s were all over the place back then, and if someone got a speeding ticket, such as in front of Julius Kahn playground, it was the MP’s that stopped the person, not SFPD.
The police report stated "The military police headquarters of the Presidio of S.F. was notified and an intense search of the Julius Kahn area was made by seven dog units, other Richmond and C.P. units – to no avail." But by the time they were deployed Zodiac was mid section of Laurel and Walnut Street (just over 2 blocks). This journey time through the park likely took Zodiac at least 5-6 minutes, indicating that if he saw dogs being grouped at Julius Khan playground, the time was at least 10.07-10.10 pm- likely nearer ten past. Zodiac already had the jump.
Here is my calculations for the timeline https://www.zodiacciphers.com/zodiac-ne … -by-minute
Right, I guess my question is, would it have mattered?
I’m not really an expert on when it comes to training dogs for these purposes but I’d assume that dogs trained for tracking human scent or blood would be more effective than say drug dogs. During the training the dogs are taught to ignore the scents that aren’t necessary for their specialty. So if you tried to find a human with the help of drug dog they’d probably just mark a place where some pothead recently rolled a joint.
Tracking dogs on the other hand can trace the scent as far as conditions allow. Many other people crossing the same path, rain, wind, snow, things like that obviously cause the scent to dissolve more rapidly. If Zodiac had parked nearby they probably could have shown the officers to his parking spot because there would not have been much anything to contaminate the scent in those circumstances. If he took a bus to get back to his car then his scent would stop at the bus stop.
They use tracking dogs mostly in missing person cases and such. I don’t think most offices have the funds to have their own special dogs so they must be brought from somewhere else.
I can’t testify to what military dogs were trained in during that period, but in the late 80’s/90’s I worked as a vet tech and one guy who was a regular customer and was an ex-MP/military dog handler who had a place he took in dogs that "flunked out" of military/police training school. They were trained in various areas including some tracking. These were Belgian Malinois and German Shepherds and their main training was as guard/attack dogs.
Regardless, even if the dogs they used had some scent track training, they would not have been anywhere near as effective as a trained bloodhound team. There’s a reason they use bloodhounds for that. No other breed comes close to their ability.
All interesting points! – Can you work with tracking dogs on the leash? (Unlikely they would turn them loose in the Presidio, for the safety of the dogs.)
