DOG SAVES MAN FROM ENRAGED BOAR

Press, Volume C, Issue 29520, 23 May 1961, Page 8

DOG SAVES MAN FROM ENRAGED BOAR

(Neu> Zoaland Press Association)

DUNEDIN, March 22. After lying sprawled on his back w ith an angry wild boar standing over him— lts head bent low ready to tear at him with Ua tasks-* Dunedin man was saved by bis

dog. Raff. Ruff, a big mastiff-collie, jumped between the two and grabbed the boar's ear, distracting the animal long enough for the hunter to seize the initiative. The man. Mr Len Ross, of Lookout Point, was pig hunting at Whare Flat with two friends. Mr Ross had the only rifle. His friends had knives.

Their five dogs cornered the boar, a large white animal estimated to weigh about 4001 b. Mr Ross was levelling his rifle for a shot when, without warning, it charged through the dogs towards him. and knocked him heavily to the ground. The rifle spun from his grasp, and landed beside the boar. Looking up. Mr Ros« saw the boar about to tear at him with its tusks. Then Ruff, the only experienced dog in the pack, leaped forward and seized the boar.

The boar ripped the dog deeply in the body, but, with the boar’s attention distracted, Mr Ross grabbed its hind legs, rendering it practically helpless. His friends were then able to knife it. Asked if he received much

of a shock, Mr Rom said: “I didn't have much time to be scared. I just saw this big white joker heading towards me, and then I was lying flat on my back with Ruff fighting over me.”