The story in this award winning novella takes place in a near future dystopia in which a plague has killed all the dogs. Following this disaster, the Humane Society (called simply "the Society") has been granted extraordinary police powers to protect the remaining animals and to prosecute and punish anyone who, even accidentally, harms an animal. After a photojournalist named David McCombe stops to report a dead jackal on the highway, he becomes a target in The Society’s investigation.

Winner: Hugo Award for Best Novella
Winner: Nebula Award for Best Novella