<P> Along those lines, an alternative proposed meaning is that "the dogs of war" refers figuratively to the wild pack of soldiers "let slip" by war's breakdown of civilized behavior and / or their commanders' orders to wreak "havoc", i.e., rape, pillage, and plunder . </P> <P> Yet another reading interprets "dog" in its mechanical sense ("any of various usually simple mechanical devices for holding, gripping, or fastening that consist of a spike, bar, or hook"). The "dogs" are "let slip"--referring to the act of releasing . Thus, the "dogs of war" are the political and societal restraints against war that operate during times of peace . </P> <P> Victor Hugo used "dogs of war" as a metaphor for cannon fire in chapter XIV of Les Misérables: </P> <P> Another cannonade was audible at some distance . At the same time that the two guns were furiously attacking the redoubt from the Rue de la Chanvrerie, two other cannons, trained one from the Rue Saint - Denis, the other from the Rue Aubry - le - Boucher, were riddling the Saint - Merry barricade . The four cannons echoed each other mournfully . The barking of these sombre dogs of war replied to each other . </P>

Cry havoc let slip the dogs of war speaker