DOG SHARES A POLICE BEAT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17837, 4 May 1926, Page 6

DOG SHARES A POLICE BEAT.

CONSTABLE’S NIGHT COMPANION PROVES OF GREAT USE.

LOXDOW March 10. A police constable's adventures with his Alsatian, which always accompanies him on his beat at night, were revealed yesterday at the Police Dog Trials at the Crystal Palace. Police-constable T. J. Whitwell said the dog would examine all dark corners and likely hiding places to make sure no one was lurking in them. “ On one occasion we. heard the latch of a gate click, and I sent the dog to see what was happening. It leapt over the gate and a few minutes later came back with a cat in its mouth. The cat, which was unharmed, had touched the latch in jumping over the gate. “ The dog once cornered a youth who —as he said —was ‘ examining ’ some show-cases at three o’clock in the morning. The dog sat in front of the youth without attempting to touch him, and would not let him move until I came on the scene. KNEW THE SERGEANT. “ The same dog was able to give intimation of another person’s approach when about a mile or more away. Especially did he recognise the footsteps of the sergeant! ” There were some interesting tests during the trials. In one a man lurked among the bushes :n the grounds of the Palace after being given a few minutes to hide. Each dog had to set off in search of him and “ denounce ” him without biting. As a protection, however, the man was thickly padded. Lady Kitty Vincent, one of the principal exhibitors and vice-president of the society, met with an accident during a test.

While hurrying to get out of the sight of one of her dogs, which had to remain sitting during her absence, she slipped and fell heavily. Both her knees were badly cut. Although suffering a good deal of pain, she declined to rest, and took her dogs through the various trials.