The dog with the nuclear nose

Physicist Cristjo Cristofv claimed that his cocker spaniel, Bijou, could not only detect nuclear fallout but also "changes in the atmospheric electrical field" caused by nuclear explosions halfway around the world.

Certainly a dog like that would be worth at least $10 million. Or so he claimed when the dog died as a result of a bad reaction to medicine given to it by a vet.

Cristofv eventually dropped his lawsuit against the vet due to unexplained "security reasons."

Peninsula Times - July 30, 1965

Chicago Tribune - July 30, 1965

Akron Beacon Journal - May 25, 1966

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Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over forty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. Contact Us

Posted By: Alex - Wed Sep 18, 2024
Category: Lawsuits | Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters | Dogs | 1960s

Comments

Cristjo Cristofv was, actually, an amazing guy. Among other things, he studied electromagnetic pulse (EMP) detection which helped with the comfort level with atomic test ban treaties.

I really don’t think his dog was all that useful in the field.

For some additional info see:
https://declassification.blogs.archives.gov/2012/11/09/a-mysterious-medal/

Posted by crc on 09/18/24 at 09:48 AM

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