American researchers have found that neighborhoods with a high number of dogs have significantly lower crime rates compared to other areas, according to information from Ohio State University. People walking their dogs are more attentive to what is happening on the streets. This may contribute to a reduction in crime, believes the lead author of the study, sociology doctoral student Nicolo Pinchak. Dog owners walking their pets are essentially patrolling the neighborhood. They notice when something is wrong and when suspicious individuals appear in the area, — says Pinchak. The researchers analyzed crime statistics from 2014 to 2016 in 595 neighborhoods of Columbus and compared them with survey data from local residents about dogs. The studies showed that trust among neighbors helps deter crime. Residents support each other when facing threats. Areas with high levels of trust experience lower rates of homicides, robberies, and aggravated assaults compared to areas with low levels of trust. Among neighborhoods with high levels of trust, those with many dogs performed the best. In such areas, the crime rate is about two-thirds lower than in areas with few dogs. According to Pinchak, this is related to pet walking. Trust is not as effective if there are no people on the streets who can notice a criminal. Moreover, when people walk their dogs, they interact with each other, pet each other's dogs. Sometimes they even know their neighbor's dog's name but do not know the owner's name, — noted the sociologist. Additionally, according to Pinchak, barking and the presence of a dog on the street can deter criminals from attempting to break into homes.