A FIGHT FOR LIFE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1091, 30 March 1880, Page 3

A FIGHT FOR LIFE.

Some time ago ex-Judge Troy, of Brooklyn,; became' the possessor of a Siberian bloodhound “ Satan,” known to sporting* men throughout the country as a- terrible fighter, ‘ But the dog was do treacherous- in his disposition that ex-Judge Troy turned him over to a clerk in his office, Mr E. Haering, who, having been an athletic performer in a ndmber of circuses, had become accustomed to entering tbe cages of wild beasts, under the instructions of a number of animal trainers. Mr Haering agreed to take the dog to his father’s premises in Atlantic, near Alabama avenue, East. New York, provided that ex-Judge Tfcoy would pay for the anttnal’s keeping, Mr Troy willingly consented to this, and a cage 10ft long, 7ft wide, and 10ft high was constructed in Mr Haering’sgarden, and “Satan” was placed in it. One Wednesday, “Satan” began to howl, as was his custom when he wanted food or water. Haering went into the garden to feed the dog, ftocompanled by half-a-dozen persons curious to see the brute. After giving the dog meat, Haering procured seine water, stepped with it into tbe cage, then bolted the cage on the outside. - ; :He usually went into the cage to feed the animal, and always, on such occasions,, carried a heavy, loaded riding-whip, bh this Occasion he had newjected to take the whip with him. act the pan of water on the floor Ajob the dog seemed disinclined to drink, Vsfhsed to be petted, and walked restlessly up and down the cage. Haering saw that “Satan” was in one of’diis worst humours, and turned to go out of the cage. He had no sooner turned bis back than the animal sprang upon him. Haering threw him to one side, but the . dog’s paw , struck him on the shoulder, and dog and man fell to the floor together. Haering sprang quickly to his feet, and the dog jumped at him and sank his teeth into the man’s right arm. Haering, quick as lightning, pitched the dog. over on back, and was just going to jump

on his paws, as the brute recovered himself and sprang for Haering’s throati With one hand Haering grasped the dog’s legs, and with the other cailght him by the upper eyelid, and did not let go his hold until he had tom the animal’s scalp to the back of his head. The dog fell back with Haering on the top., Both got to their feet, and Haering sprang for the gate of the cage. The dog dashed at him again, and Haering clinched the brute, and tried to set his teeth into his scraggy neck. He failed, but caught, the dog’s ear with his teeth, and held on until he had cut it off, and then he hurled the brute to the floor and fell himself. The dog rushed at Haering again just as he was getting up, and bit him in the left hand. Haering thrust his hand into the brute’s throat and tried to smother him. In the struggle both fell again, and the dog lacerated Haering’s hand. “Unbolt the gate, quick,” shouted Haering to the men, who were standing fifty feet away, but no oue dared come to the rescue. -Haering then threw himself on the dog and set his teeth into his throat, and at the same time grasped the dog by the upper jaw with his right hand, pressing down the lower jaw with his left arm until the flesh at the sides of the dog’s mouth was tom by the strain. Dog and man struggled about the cage for at least five minutes. At last they reached the door. Haering, still keeping his teeth fixed iu the animal’s neck, lifted him up and pinned him against the side of the cage. Then, with his, right hand, he unbolted the door of the cage, and got outside, at the same time drawing the dog’s head through and and closing the gate on his neck. Then he pressed upon the gate with all his might. He.held the dog in this way nntil he felt'bis strength failing, and letting go the dog’s neck with his teeth, he opened the gate slightly, ,and with a quick kick he knocked the dog inside and closed and locked the gate. Bpth Uaering and the dog were covered with blood. Haering’s lacerated band bled fast, and blood was running from, the brute’s throat. Dr Allen was sent for, and he dressed Haering’s wounds. Pour of the veins in his hand were found • to' have been jtorn, and they have begun to bleed afresh twice since they were dressed, jHaering. had .to., be removed to Dr Allen’shouse .for constant medical He was rapidly improving. >at.last accounts.' He says he regrets that a member of .the family poisoned the dog, for if it. .had recovered from the wound in its throat, he intended to ; eqter the cage, armed with a .heavy whip, and beat the animal into, submission.