A FIGHT FOR LIFE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5952, 24 March 1880, Page 3

A FIGHT FOR LIFE.

Some time ago ex-Judge Troy, of Brooklyn, became the possessor of a Siberian bloodhound “ Satan,” known to sporting men throughout the country as a terrible fighter. But the dog was so treacherous in his disposition that exJudge Troy turned him over to a clerk in his office, Mr B. Haering, who, having been an athletic performer in a number of circuses, had become accustomed to entering the cages of wild beasts, under the instructions of a number of animal trainers. Mr Haering agreed to take the dog to his father’s premises in Atlantic, near Alabama avenue, East New York, providing that ex-Judge Troy would pay for the animal’s keeping. Mr Troy -willingly consented to this, end a cage 10ft long, 7ft wide, and 10ft high was constructed in Mr Haeriug’s garden, and “ Satan ” was placed in it. One Wednesday, ” Satan ” began to howl, as was his custom when he wanted food or water, Haering went into the garden to feed the dog, accompanied by half a dozen persons curious to see the brute. After giving the dog meat, Haering procured some water, stepped with it into the cage, and then bolted the cage on the outside, He usually went into the cage to feed the animal, and always, on such occasions, carried a heavy, loaded riding-whip. On this occasion he had neglected to take the whip with him. Haering set the pan of water; on the floor, but the dog seemed disinclined , to drink, refused to be petted, and walked restlessly up and down the cage. Haering saw that “ Satan ” was in one of his worst humours, and turned to go out of the cage; He had no sooner turned his back than the animal sprang upon him. Haering threw him to one side, bat the dog’s paw struck him on the shoulder, and dog and man feU to the floor together. Haering sprang quickly to . his feet, and the dog jumped at him and sank his teeth into the man’s right arm. Haering, quick as lightning, pitched the dog over on his back, and was jnst going to jump on his paws. aa the brake recovered himself and sprang for Haering’s throat. With one hand Haering grasped the dog’s legs, and with the other caught him by the upper eyelid, and - did not let go his hold until he bad torn the animal’s scalp toi the back of his head. The dog fell back with Haering on the top. Both got to their feet, and Haering sprang for the gate of the cage. The dog dashed at him again, and Haering clinched the brute, and tried to set his teeth into his scraggy neck. He failed, hot Canght he dog’s ear with his teeth, and held on until he had cat it off, and then he hurled thebrnte to the 1 floor and fell himself.

The dog rushed ah Haering again just as he was getting up, and bit him in the left hand. Haering thrust his hand into . the brute’s throat and tried to smother him. ' In the struggle both fell again, and the dog lacerated Haering’s band. “ Unbolt the gate, quiet,” shouted Haering to the, men, who were standing fifty feet away, but no one dared come to the rescue. Haering then threw himself on the dog and set his teeth into his throat, and at the same time grasped the dog by the upper jaw with his right hand, pressing down the lower jaw with his left arm until the flesh at the sides of the dog’s mouth was tom by the strain. Hog and man struggled about the cage for at least five minutes.' At last they reached the door. Haering, still keeping his teeth fixed in the animal’s neck, lifted him up and pinned him against the side of the cage. Then, with his .right hand, he unbolted'the door of the cage, and got outside, at the same time drawing the dog’s head through and closing the gate on his neck. Thm he pressed upon the gate with all his might. He held the dog in this way until he felt his strength failing, and letting go the dog’s neck with his teeth, he opened the gate slightly, and with a quick Mel he knocked the dog inside and closed and locked the gate.

Both Haering and the dog were covered with blood. Haering’s lacerated hand bled fast, and blood was running from the brute’s throat. Br Allen was sent for, and he dressed Haering’s wounds. Eour of the veins in his hand were found to have been torn, and they have begun to bleed afresh twice since they were dressed. Haering had to be removed to Dr Allen’s house for constant medical treatment. He was rapidly improving at last accounts. He says he regrets that a member of the family poisoned the dog, for if it had recovered from the wound in its throat, he intended to enter the cage, armed with & heavy whip, and beat the animal into submission.