RUSSIAN AND DOG

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1930, Page 9

RUSSIAN AND DOG

ANIMAL’S THROAT CUT.

After spending a ■week in the Reception House,a former officer of the Russian army, now residing at Arncliffe, N.S.W., who, rather than see his Alsation dog starve, cut its throat and buried it in the back yard of his home, was released. The Russian came to Australia several years ago with his brother and their wives, and since that time neither of the brothers has been able to obtain more than a little casual work.

The small capital which they had rapidly dwindled, until a few weeks ago they were practically penniless, and were forced to put themselves on rations. Food was so scarce that the dog, which the elder brother* had brought from Russia, could only be allowed a few crumbs.

Daily the elder brother watched his pet grow weaker and weaker until he could stand the sight of the dog’s condition no longer, so, after informing the others of his intention, he took it into the backyard, where, later cutting its throat and hacking it to pieces, he buried it in the grave he had specially prepared for the purpose.

In the agony of his grief, he then told the others that rather than see them also starve, he would treat them to a similar fate as the dog. Frightened that the strain of the dog’s terrible end had affected his mind, his wife informed Arncliffe police, who placed him in (he Reception House.

As a. result of careful nursing for nearly a week, the Russian was released from observation and returned to his family.