Dog whipper

[1] The whip was utilized both for enforcement and as a deterrent while the tongs enabled the whipper to clasp a problematic animal from a safe distance.

If at any point they became loud, fought with other animals, attacked congregation members, or were otherwise disruptive, it was the job of the dog whipper to remove them from the church as well as to allow the service to continue in peace.

In some areas a portion of village land was made available for the use of the dog whipper, the small park named 'Dog Acre' in Birchington-on-Sea is the remnant of such a grant.

In addition, churches that found their coffers lacking had the option of hiring out their services or giving their staff other tasks to complete.

The role was similar to the 'Sluggard waker' that entailed poking or hitting drowsy members of the congregation on the head with a long, outfitted pole.

Carving of a dog whipper doing his job in a chapel of the Great Church of St. Bavo, Haarlem (Netherlands).
Painting of a 19th-century dog whipper and sluggard waker