DOG FIGHT IN A CHURCH.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2244, 4 October 1889, Page 2

DOG FIGHT IN A CHURCH.

On Sunday evening last a aohoo! building, also used aa a church, situate not a hundred miles from New Brighton, was the scene of a fierce battle between two dogs. The offair was very exciting while it lasted, and there was an element of amusement In it alno. A rev. gentlemaji from Chrietchurch had officiated, and, as the sequel shown a curious coincidence, it might be mentioned (hat one of the lesEona read was the third chapter of Paul's Epiatle to lhe Phillipiann, the third ▼erBC ot whioh commences with the woids 11 Beware of dogs." Tho service had concluded, and the door was opened to allow the coagregation to depart. Evidently those who were firet out disregarded tbe above injunction, for they allowed a St. Bernard and a mastiff to gain ingress to the building, presumably m nourch of tbeir respective) owners. The doga walked quittly up to the centre of tho ohuroh, when eaoh seemed to be struck with the idea that the other wan an intruder, and at ouoe give vont to thoir opinions by engaging m a " set to." One of these was apparently somewhat of an adept at the oatoh-M---oatoh-oan stylo, and got the best hold, hit opponent expressing his feelings at thus bulng plnoed In pulu and at a disadvantage by giving out a reriea of unearthly hoirli. By way of restoring tbe peaoe the rev, gentleman who bad previously officiated "lambyd" down the dog with a chair, whilst one of the fair oei, who was the owucr of the St Bernard, caught her pet by the bead and endeavored to draw him away. A gallant member of the sterner sex now aatled Into tbe fray, caught the lady round the waist, presumably wl'h tbe belt of intentions, namely, t < pull her out of her perilous position. Another Udy, with a child m arms, was b>tled up In a corner, and had to not tbe part of an enforoeed apcotator, like the Sheriff at the recent Sulllvan-Kllrain pries fight. Daring the combat the dogs oolllded against a trestle, which held the blackboard, with tha result that the whole oonoerc oame down by the run, and more noise and ezoltement was added to' the general confusion. Dogs fighting and howling, ladled soreamlng, ch»lre and other weapons flying, made np a lively scene, and those living near the ohuroh were for a time In a state of oonsternatlon and fear, not knowing what awful deeds were being perpetrated, At length, however, peace was restored, and perhaps tha advice givon by tho preacher will receive more attention In future, especially by tboie who are m tbe bablt of taking big fightable doga to ohuroh, — Ohrlatohnroh 11 Telegraph.")