SAGACITY OF DOG

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 241, 12 October 1931, Page 8

SAGACITY OF DOG

MASTER DRAGGED FROM FIRE INTELLIGENCE REWARDED PRESENTATION OF A COLLAR. The dog whose intelligence in dragging his unconscious master away from a fire saved the man from being burned to death in his hut on the Poroti gumfields early in July was this week rewarded by the ladies’ committee of the Whangarei branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. In recognition of tho remarkable sagacity shown by the collie dog named fui, the president of the association, Mr W. R. Patterson, placed a silvermounted collar on the animal's neck. A. plate on the collar bears the inscription: “To Tui, from the ladies of the S.P.C.A., in recognition of his action in saving his master." The story of the dog’s rescue of his naster is an astonishing study in animal intelligence. The owner, Mr Albert McAskie, a gumdigger, aged 69, who lived alone in a small shack, had i sudden seizure and fell into the fire. Perceiving his master’s plight, the dog 1 ragged him clear of danger. After recovering consciousness Mr McAskie secured aid and was ultimately taken to :he Whangarei District Hospital. He was very seriously injured, hav:.g received burns on the body, face ••nd right hand. The latter was charred Io the bone and had to be amputated ■it, the wrist. Although it is nearly three months since tho accident oeurred Mr McAskie is still in hospital, but is now progressing well. It is ex■iPctcd that he shortly will be able to ’eave hospital. His recovery is considered remarkable, considering the cvere nature of the burns he suffered. Since the accident tho dog Tui has been looked after by friends in Whangarci. The dog’s intelligence is also 'ndicated by the fact that it performs countless parlour tricks and shows coniderable alertness in learning new ones. The ceremony of attaching the collar | a as performed at the hospital.