Cerberus

The Cerberus (development code: "MA-39") was a B.O.W. series developed in Umbrella labs, such as the Arklay Laboratory, from a doberman pinscher infected with the t-Virus. They should not be confused with "zombie dogs", which encompasses all dog breeds infected with the t-Virus in the secondary form. Pronounced as the Greek word, "Kerberos"; this creature was named after the mythological guardian of Hades, a gigantic dog with three heads and a collar made of venomous snakes.

History
Following the deliberate outbreak of t-Virus caused by Dr. James Marcus, a pack of Cerberuses escaped into the Raccoon Forest surrounding the facility, attacking and feeding on hikers and anyone else wandering too deep into the woods. It was these attacks (as well as those committed by at least one band of roaming zombies) which eventually led to the formal investigation of the area by the police department's Special Tactics And Rescue Service in July 1998. However, some of the S.T.A.R.S. members were overwhelmed and killed by them. The first of which was Edward Dewey, who attempted to take refuge in the Ecliptic Express before succumbing to the t-Virus. R.P.D. pilot Kevin Dooley was also killed by them, possibly because he could not escape with his helicopter in time. Joseph Frost and the rest of S.T.A.R.S. Alpha Team encountered more Cerberuses outside of the Spencer Mansion, where they were quickly overwhelmed and forced to flee to the Mansion. Joseph was killed and partially devoured by them.

Biology
Although suffering from a similar necrosis to humans infected by the t-Virus, Cerberuses retain much of their former agility, with a noticeable increase in durability and aggression.

Gameplay
In most cases, potential prey should listen for the sound of padding paws as a clue to their presence, with a growling warning that a Cerberus has become aware of the player and is preparing to attack. They will let out a pained yelp when killed.

Resident Evil Zero
A few Cerberuses are featured in Resident Evil Zero.

Resident Evil
Attempting to leave the mansion in the original Resident Evil, Director's Cut, and Deadly Silence versions, triggers a cutscene where the door is opened and a Cerberus sticks its head in and attacks before the character closes the door. After that, examining door again results in the message: "It's too dangerous to go outside!" being displayed.

Running through the corridor after the statue with the Map of the First Floor on the vase will result in two Cerberuses breaking in through the windows.

Resident Evil (2002)
In REmake, opening the door causes an enemy Cerberus to gain entry to the mansion before it is shut. Trying to open the door again results in the message: "It's too dangerous to go out.".

Similar to the original, running through the same corridor will result in the window cracking, only for the two dogs to break in on the second time the character enters the room.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
In the Inserted Evil ARG, an unlockable document describes electrical experiments conducted on a Cerberus within the mansion.

Gallery
Cerberus Cerberus MA-39 ケルベロス Cerberus

Cerberus