Dutton Animal Book Award was an American literary award established in 1963 by publisher E. P. Dutton to recognize a previously unpublished work of fiction or non-fiction relating to animals.[1] The reward for the winner was a $7,500 to $15,000 advanced against royalties after publication of the book by Dutton.[2] The award was inspired by the success of Gavin Maxwell's Ring of Bright Water (1960), the story of two otters.[3] The award was presented between 1963 and 1969; there was a 6-year hiatus with one more award presented in 1975.[dubious – discuss]