Columbus, Ohio: Grave of Muggs, Dog That Bit People

Muggs was owned by the family of humorist James Thurber, who in 1933 immortalized him in a story, "The Dog that Bit People." Muggs died in 1928, but his monument and statue on the Thurber family grave plot wasn't unveiled until 2021.

Green Lawn Cemetery

Address:: 1000 Green Lawn Ave., Columbus, OH
Directions:: Green Lawn Cemetery. Southwest side of the city. I-71 exit 105, then drive west on Greenlawn Ave., which leads straight into the cemetery. When you come to a large traffic circle keep to the left, passing Sections 39, 47, and 77. Turn right when you get to section 85. Muggs is located at the Thurber family plot, in Section 50, under a tree, about 30 yards west of the the fisherman grave.
Hours:: Daily summer 7-7, winter 7-5. Gated after hours. Local health policies may affect hours and access.

Results 1 to 2 of 2...

Visitor Tips and News About Grave of Muggs, Dog That Bit People

Reports and tips from RoadsideAmerica.com visitors and Roadside America mobile tipsters. Some tips may not be verified. Submit your own tip.

Grave of Muggs.

Grave of Muggs, Dog That Bit People

Muggs is south of the quarry pond, and yards away from the Fisherman grave. Facing west, where rows 50, M, and 65 meet. Parking in front.

[Stephen Francia, 05/06/2023]

Muggs.

Grave of Muggs, the Dog that Bit People

Greenlawn Cemetery contains the plot of the Thurber family, which includes the grave of famous writer James Thurber. Until this year the plot was rather non-descript and somewhat hard to find. That changed on August 28, 2021, when a sculpture of Muggs, an Airedale terrier who was the Thurber family dog, was installed.

The Muggs sculpture was created by local sculptor Renate Burgyan Fackler and was based on a cartoonish picture Thurber drew of him. It was placed on a pedestal at the plot. Muggs technically belonged to James' mother Mary and lived for 11 years, dying in 1928. Mary wanted him buried at the family plot, but James was worried that might be illegal and buried him at an undisclosed location along a rural road. The world learned of Muggs due to Thurber's short story published in 1933, "The Dog That Bit People." Muggs was cantankerous and seemed to bite everyone that he saw or met, except for Mary. Because of his habit of biting, the base of the sculpture is engraved "Nobody knew exactly what was the matter with him" followed by "Cave Canem" which is Latin for "Beware Of Dog."

[Joseph Koldys, 01/13/2022]