DOG STEALING TRICK

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8365, 27 February 1913, Page 2

DOG STEALING TRICK

HOW THE PROFESSIONAL THIEF WORKS THE ORACLE. A VIOLENT PRISONER. LONDON, January 19. The methods of the dog thief were revealed at Highgate Police Court in a case in which a man named Harry Saxton was charged with stealing from some person unknown an Irish terrier, and further with assaulting Detectivesergeant Grosse and Detective Seymour while in the execution of their duty. Detective-sergeant Grosse said in consequence, of many complaints with regard to dog stealing, he kept observations on the prisoner in the Broadway, Crouch End, in company with Detective Seymour. Prisoner was seen to take something from his pocket, rub it on hie hand, and down his tronser leg. He stood still for a few minutes and soon he was surrounded by about six mongrel dogs. Two minutes later a good-looking terrier came np to him. Prisoner patted him on the back and then slipped a lead on his collar. Witness went up to him and the prisoner turned round and kicked the dog on the back and it ran away yelping- It was known that prisoner was a dog thief, and the two detectives went to arrest him, bnt he became very violent. He bit witness’s hand and attacked Seymour and kicked him on the chest and right hand. Private persons came to their assistance and prisoner struggled furiously. The ambulance was sent for, and with the united efforts of six persons he was got in it,' but broke the straps and commenced to kick out again and entered a private house. After a time be was overpowered aud taken to the station. On feeing charged there ho said, “If I had not been so roughly handled 1 should have told you where the dogs are.” On being searched a piece of liver saturated with some pungent smelling liquid was found upon him, and questioned as to what it was, he said, “That is what I give to my blackbird to make him sing.” The magistrate, in ordering a remand, referred to the seriousness of the case, and highly commended the two officers for their work.