POLICE DOGS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4701, 21 May 1924, Page 3

POLICE DOGS.

CRIMINALS’ NEW TERROR. ALSATIAN BREED S TRIALS. •ihc first trials ol the Alsatian Molt UUa club were held at Sandown Park in Februaiy, the object of the tests ocing to demonstrate the usefulness ol the Alsatian in dealing with criminals. The demonstration was so effective, says the Morning Post( that anv proposal to introduce these dogs into the police force will probably result in tile- proclamation of a general strike by the National L'moii of Criminals and the Felons’ Federation. T m tests and exercises were divided m.o lliiee classes. Under the heading m •Geueial Obedience’ entrants had to sit, lie, walk to heel, slay in one place for two minutes, fetch an object, an jump a fence three ieet high. Class two was rather harder, nad a preliminary to the third class, which was the full police training. There were 13 tests in this class, varying from lying down for 10 minutes (with the •‘handler’ out of site) to attacking criminals and refusing succulent strips of meat from strangers. On y one dog succumbed to this temptation. Ladder climbing guarding objects, selecting an object by scent, and retrieving over a six-foot wall, were aL part of the police training. Wont with ‘’criminals” is extremely complicated. The dog has to find a hidden criminal, and give tongue without attacking him. Then the criminal mus. be escorted and instantly attackedi >1 he tries to escape or tp attack the. handler. ■ The dog must then guaid the criminal in the handlers absence without any attack unless he thieatens the dog or attenmpts to run. No signs of fear are permissible when the criminal discharges a ievolver al ■the dog and attacks him with a stic . There were no exceptions to this rule during the trials, all the dogs treating the stick and revolver with supreme indifference. Finally the dog must cease to attack on. commant., even if he is hot on the heels of the escaping criminal. Perhaps this m the hardest test of all. The discipline and intelligence of the dogs were as delightful to watch as was their, obvious enjoyment of the proceedings. No sleuth from Scotland Yard ever eyed a wrongdoer more closely or eagerly than -these Alsatians watched the padded “criminals” during the test. Alsatian enthusiasts will not admit the existence of a better dog. Alsatians certainly seem tc be possessed of many attractive attributes. They are the only big dogs .suitable for wemen and -children as guards and companions. They do not confine themselves to opposing the attacks of criminals. Their distaste lor fighting is so ingrained that they will separate anyone they see engaged in it. If two boys in the schoolroom begin fighting an Alsatian will rush between them and separate them. Curiously enough, this same-ingrained instinct prompts them tp separate danceits, as they consider it a tame kind of fight. They arc excellent retrievers, with beautiful mouths. They have been tried as keepers’ dogs with great success." The slightest movement in the covert does not escape their attention, and, of course, they are an effective argument with a poacher. Experts do not think that they will be of so much service to police in towns in England as to the country policeman with an extended beat. Several constables in the West Country are using them, and find them a great help in dealing with chicken stealers and similar offenders; One could not.be but extiemely sorry for the burglar who fell foul of an Alsatian, and attempted to escape. Only luck could prevent his being severely mauled. The Alsatian may be a dog to be avoided if one has offended his owner, but off duty he is far removed from the .savage brute that his detractors make out. His magnificent build and handsome appearance are not the least of his attractions. . He is friendly and good tempered, and there is a look ot well-bred dignity about him which blends with the keen, sensitive intelligence which glows in his eyes.