The CIA’s Most Purr-plexing Mission Cats as Spies? Probably Not, but Maybe a Beetle
The CIA once tried to turn a cat into a spy. No, really.
toward the bench, the cat unfortunately wandered into traffic and was immediately hit by a taxi. The mission was over before it began. It turned out cats weren’t very good at following orders. In a later memo, the CIA admitted that the program wasn’t practical or suited to its “highly specialized needs.” No surprise there. If you’ve ever tried to get a cat to do anything it doesn’t want to do, you understand. Still, the idea of using animals for covert missions didn’t die with Acoustic Kitty. In the 2000s, the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) picked up the baton and funded experiments with remote-controlled insects. Researchers at UC Berkeley managed to control a beetle’s flight using neural implants. They could steer it left and right and make it start and stop in mid-air. It was like a bug-size drone. Science has shown that bugs might make better spies than cats. And unless your housecat suddenly develops a taste for espionage, your conversations are probably safe. So, if your feline friend stares blankly at you while you share secrets, don’t worry. That’s not surveillance. That’s just a cat being a cat.
In the 1960s, the agency launched a project called Acoustic Kitty. The idea was to implant listening devices into live cats so they could eavesdrop on foreign officials. One unlucky feline became their test subject. A surgeon embedded a
microphone in the cat’s ear, ran an antenna through its fur, and tucked a transmitter into the base of its skull. The CIA planned to train the cat to sit near targets and secretly transmit conversations. The outcome? Let’s just say things didn’t go as planned.
For the first trial run, CIA agents released the wired- up cat near a park bench where two men were talking. Instead of heading
Quick Action Makes a Difference Protecting Yourself After a Dog Attack
Dog bites often happen quickly and with little notice, but the effects can be lasting. You may be left with physical injuries that take weeks, months, or longer to heal. But when you’re bitten, whether it involves an aggressive nip or a serious injury, it’s not always easy to know what to do next. Most people are too busy dealing with pain and shock to even think about paperwork or legal steps, but what you do right after the bite matters. The first step is always to get medical help. Even a seemingly minor bite can lead to infection, and deeper ones may cause long-term damage. You should also take photos of your injury and write down what happened while the details of the incident
are fresh. Try to get the name and contact information of the owner, and report the incident to the local animal control office. If there were witnesses, try to get their names, too. Taking these early steps can make a big difference later. Our dog bite laws in Massachusetts are straightforward, and state law follows a strict liability rule. This means that in most cases, the dog’s owner is legally responsible for injuries caused by their pet. You don’t need to prove the dog had a history of aggression or the owner was negligent. You likely have a valid claim for your injuries as long as you weren’t trespassing, teasing the dog, or committing a crime.
Many people are hesitant to pursue these claims, but even if you like or know the dog that bit you, you could be facing expensive medical bills, time away from work, and lasting trauma. Many of these claims are covered by the dog owner’s home insurance policy, and holding someone accountable doesn’t mean you’re attacking your neighbor or punishing a pet. It just means making sure you’re protected. Call us if you’ve been bitten and aren’t sure what to do. We’re happy to discuss your situation with you. We’ve handled many of these cases and can help you understand what to expect and your options.
24
Published by Newsletter Pro • newsletterpro.com
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator