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Mr Caesar, who is also director of the American Kennel Club and treasurer of the Westminster Kennel Club, two of the most prominent organizations of their kinlt;| in the country, says that Dogs for Defense was formed as a result of the wish of dog owners to contribute to the war effort. He has made a public appeal for mediumsized canines. The dogs will be trained to work with any sentry having them on a leash remaining at heel, coming when called in spite of all distractions and, most important, giving warning whether through a growl or bark when any stranger comes within range of their hearing or scent.This is the first time in this country, I believe, that such wide recognition has been given to dogs for their military usefulness. Some experimenting.was doneJn the -last wax, but it .wasnot particularly satisfactory. Dog breeders say this was because the Army recrufted its dogs from castoffs at animal shelters and also because training was left too much in the hands of those who knew little about it. When the A.E.F. reached Europe whatever dogs it used came from those trained by the British and French. It never developed a competent dog corps of its own.As an illustration of the kind of service a dog can render in time of War we have this story which comes to us from England. John Barnett, driver of an 'animal rescue van in which were eight dogs and cats, seriously injured in an air raid, had lost his way in the wilds of Essex, while trying to return to London. Under the war regulations there is not a sign-post in all Britain, and as it was blackout time not a light was to be seen on the Essex countryside No one was to be met with and if there had been and he had asked for directions these would not have been given.Neither Barnett nor his helper knew which way to turn. Moreover the gasoline was getting low. The wounded animals were moaning and whimpering. Then an inspiration cajne to Barnett. Beside him on the driver’s seat was his pet terrier and constant companion, Beauty.Getting out of the van he led the dog a little ' way from it and said “Home, Beauty.” Tfie dog trotted off —in the opposite direction. His helper took the wheel and followed them. After two miteS or so of country roads they found the main road they had been seeking and soqn the sufferingqanimals were safely in the hospital. “Even amid their bombed homes,Duchess of Hamilton said recently at^a meeting of animal-lovers in London, “people have found in a dog’s friendly paw, or a cat’s gentle rub, great consolation.” Firemen, after a bombing, let animal rescuers go through thfe crowd so that they can dig dogs an[d oats from under the debris. The. policeand the A. R. P. workers help them. They all-appreciate^B ^B » — V ——T- — — — — II ■ Icompanionship which these pets* bring*to their owners.s.V'hCats are often looked upon as rather vain creatures. Dogs. garded in this light. , other day I was; reading;ab^dtvaj,coil^.^ dog in service on -the;'W«t6r^{r®a^ in World Waruiui aniraai—ana.Knew-ric^nerstbpi^l^lso often, while deliveringreceive’they'firfally
Newspaper Details
Bristol Phoenix
Bristol, Rhode Island, US
Fri, Apr 17, 1942
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Nancy L.
NM, USA 18 Jan 2020
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