SAVED TWO LIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 170, 2 May 1935, Page 6

SAVED TWO LIVES.

VETERAN PIGM3OG. .HELPED IN 2000 CAPTURES. (Special to the " Guardian.") NEW PLYMOUTH, April 29. A nine-year-old pig-dog, with a record of having saved two torn, *•■ been retired. "Tiger's" owners, Messis K M and E- H. Meuli, are proud ot Sis veteran, who has helped in the capture of over 2000 pigs. Tiger saved Mr E. Meuli Iron almost certain death at in 1<)30 A party of three, the brothers Si atdVV A.Bmjth, dogs, set olf in pursuit of a pig known as "Old Timer." Cornering him after a long chase, the pig stood oft the dogs and then made for Mr K. Meuli, who was the first of the party to get up to him. Mr Meuli was chased round and round a nikau palm. In spite oi that fact he "got in two cracks at the pig with a short-handled till Mr Smith, the gun-bearer, came into sight, Mr Smith could not use the gun, as Mr Meuli was in the line of fire, and shortly the pig made a rush at him also. He drove the barrel of the gun into the pig's facei and deflected the charge, but Mr E. Meuli was now in front of the pig. He leapt into the air but was caught m a bush lawyer and fell flat on his back. "Tiger flew at the pig with a roar, pulling him up within a foot of Edgar s face," said Mr Meuli's brother. He held him like a vice till we came up and settled the pig. Tiger saved us from many a serious predicament, but this one stands on its own for great courage and faithfulness." On another occasion the two brothers with two other men and four dogs, including Tiger, went to Uruti, where a pursued pig jumped over a cliff into the water and mud. The dogs followed and soon the pig was securely held. It stayed quiet, and Mr K. Meuli took hold of an ear while another member of the party tried to get pictures of the dogs in action. It lay so quiev t£at the dogs momentarily loosened their holds. The animal reared in the air and plunged its tusk twice into Mr Meuli's chest just above the heart, knocking him into the stream. Mr Meuli was left at handgrips with the pig. "I lifted my head out of the water, but the pig was standing with its forefeet on the back of my shirt," said Mr Meuli, recalling his experience. "I was looking up into his throat, and lie got another rip into me, but only laid open my pocket. This all happened in a few seconds, 'but Tiger sprang in and tore the pig's head to one side, giving me a chance to crawl out between the pig's and dog's legs. When the pig was dead we had to open Tiger's jaws with our hands before he would let go." So it can be seen that Tiger earned a place in his masters' hearts. On one occasion one of the brothers carried Tiger eight miles through the bush, the dog having been weakened by loss of blood bji a wound.