TERROR FOR CRIMINALS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18664, 21 March 1924, Page 11

TERROR FOR CRIMINALS.

ALSATIAN WOLF DOGS.

EFFECTIVE POLICE TRAINING

The first trials of the Alsatian Wolf Dog Club were held at Sandown Park, and tests were carried out to demonstrate the usefulness of the Alsatian in dealing with criminals, says a London paper. The demonstration was so effective that any proposal to introduce these dogs into the police force will probably result in the proclamation of a general strike by the National Union of Criminals and the Felons' Federation. The tests and exercises were divided into three classes. . Under the heading of "General obedience" entries had to sit, lie, walk to heel, stay in one place for two minutes, fetch an object and jump a 3ft fence. Class two was rather harder, and a preliminary to the third class, which was the full police training. There were 13 tests in this class, varying from lying down for 10 minutes (with the •'handler" out of sight) to attacking criminals and refusing succulent strips of meat from strangers. Only one dog sue cumbed to this temptation,. Ladderclimbing, guarding objects, selecting an i object bv scent, and retrieving over a 6ft. wall, were all part of the police training. i Work with the "criminals was extremely complicated, but most of the i entries came through with flying colours The dog has to find a hidden criminal and give tongue without attacking bun. then the criminal must be escorted and instantlv. attacked .if he tries.to escape or to attack the handler. - . ... The dog must then guard the criminal in the handler's absence without any attacks unless he threatens the dog or attempts to run. No signs of fear are permissible when the criminal discharges a revolver at the dog and attacks him with a stick. There were no exceptions to this rule during trials, all the dogs treating the stick and the revolver with supreme indifference. Finally the dog must cease to attack on command even if he is hot on the heels of the escaping criminal. Perhaps this is the hardest test of all. The discipline and intelligence of the dogs were as delightful to watch as was their obvious enjoyment of the proceedings. No sleuth from Scotland Yard ever eyed a wrongdoer more closely or eagerly than these Alsatians watched the padded "criminals." The necessity for instruction with a padded man has given them preconceived notions of orthodox criminal attire, and the indiscretion of one of the judcres in wearing a voluminous leather motor-coat nearlv resulted in a regrettable, though pardonable, error on the part of an entry.