DOG CAUSES PROBLEM

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 750, 24 August 1929, Page 34

DOG CAUSES PROBLEM

SEEKS REFUGE IN VATICAN STATE The question of whether the extradition clause in the . concordat accompanying the lateran pact of conciliation between the Italian State and Vatican City extend’s to Rome’s dogcatching department was brought up recently by a stray dog in St. Peters Square. This dog, chased by two dogcatchers, took refuge inside the frontiers of Vatican City. The Swiss guards. with mediaeval halberds, stopißd the pursuit, and hence the question of extradition. When the dog-catchers came up the Swiss guards said: “You cannot pass.” "Why not, our duty is to catch that dog.” the dog-catchers replied. “No hack talk, tUs is another country,” said the resolutely summoning the corporal of the guard, while the dog-catchers summoned two Italian policemen. A crowd gathered and explanations were demanded. To the furious dogcatchers someone explained that beyond Charlemagne Arch of St. Peter’s Square another State began, and to apprehend the dog it was necessary to seek extradition through diplomatic channels. The policemen laughed, the crowd laughed, the Swiss guards laughed, everyone laughed except the two dogcatchers. Meanwhile the canine culprit was lying beside the ancient stones in Piazza Santa Marta panting in peace and sardonically watching his prosecutors. -