WOMEN DOG-SMUGGLERS.

Taihape Daily Times, 19 May 1919, Page 3

WOMEN DOG-SMUGGLERS.

LADIES OP POSITION TRY TO HIDE PETS UNDER THEIK. SKIRTS.

Determined efforts by ladies of high social position to smuggle pet clogs out of the rabis-iiifected area of Devon and Cornwall (from which counties dogs may not be removed without a license) were described to a representative of the Diseases of Animals branch of the Board of Agriculture.

The head of the department said: "We have had to take several ladies of title into court for trying to smuggle dogs out of Devon. The other day I had a protracted stormy interview with a foreign princess.

"During the war we have had to cope with enormous difficulties in connection with the numerous dogs brought into this country by Belgian refugees, our own lads returning on lerve. the colonials, the Americans, arid the Navy.

"It takes the combined intelligence of Scoland Yard and the Customs officials to out-manoeuvre somo dog-loving ladies. They will even conceal their pets under their skirts. "Recently, on board a steamer crossing to England, a lady was seated on a deck stool and a wind was blowing. A shrewd observer, whose duty if was to be inquisitive, with his eyes, happened to catch sight for a moment of a little clog's wagging tail.

"On landing, the lad}', in reply to th e usual question, said she had nothing to declare. 'No dog, niadame?' 'Certainly not.' 'Then.' said the qnoP v tioner: 'I must" send for the female searcher to have your statement verified.

"' ''ln that ease,' said the lady, 'if you will allow me a couple of minutes by myself. I'll produce my little dog.* Which she did."