A CANINE DETECTIVE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2408, 26 April 1900, Page 44

A CANINE DETECTIVE.

THE SHANGHAI POLICE DOG AND SOME OF HIS "WORK.

There has just died in the Central Police Station at Shanghai perhaps one of the most faithful and intelligent animals of the dumb creation, and one which was truly regarded by the Shanghai police as the "policemen's dog," a mute but sagacious companion, whose death has been regretted by the whole of the force. Nigger at his death was 25 years old, 11 of which he has served in the Shanghai police force. His record in the service shows that he has actually been in both the public and the secret departments of the police, and has been the means of effecting the arrest of many a notorious criminal. Nigger (remarks the China Gazette) was a personality in the force, petted as much by the superintendent as he was by the constables, both European and native. He was, moreover, part and parcel of them, for he visited them on their usual beats, was patted, and, with a gentle tail wag, travelled onward to meet tho next officer. The dog, too, became a general favourite, because he used to remain out on "night duty," and never considered that liis patrol was up till the morning round was finished. When he was on night duty, he used to enter the station at 3 o'clock to get his coffee. After that, Nigger would trot out again, and continue his round till morning. An inspector of the police force, speaking of the death of this dog, states that he was as good as a detective, and that on many occasions Nigger had been the means of arresting lawbreakers in cases where the police had failed.

Several notable instances are recorded. It is well known that Nigger secured the arrest of a criminal who escaped from the Hong Kew Police Station. The convict was in for a term of years, and his escape from, the station was apparently unperceived \mtil Nigger took up the chase. The dog pxirsued the man for two miles, the while biting him on the heels. The runaway dropped, and the police came upon him. One of the most remarkable instances of canine fidelity perhaps in modern times was this : — About three months ago two European police officers were going up the Nanking road at about midnight. Nigger, who had been with them, was missed. A few minutes afterwards the ainmal made its reappearance, when it began pawing at the legs of its master, Sergeant Madsen, who knew then there was something wrong. Both officers proceeded to a certain spot, piloted by Nigger, who at once put his front paws against a door of a house, and returned to scratch his master. The dog again went to the door, amd actually by his front paws burst it open ; and then it was that the officers discovered a criminal who was on private property for the supposed ptirpose of committing a felony, and who was subsequently convicted and sentenced to three months' hard labour.

These are among the many acts which made Nigger's name famous in Shanghai, not only among the members of the police force, bui> among many private residents who knew him by his reputation. The Shanghai police force is inconsolable. The funeral was attended by six constables and a sergeant.— Pall Mall Gazetta.