A DISTINGUISHED DOG

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 94, 6 November 1953, Page 9

| A DISTINGUISHED DOG

BLUEBELL OF PERY Among Taupo's newest residents is Bluebell of Pery, a pedigree Great Dane bitch owned by Mr Bruce Williamson, recently appointed Harbour master at Taupo. Bluebell is an attractive blue-grey in colour, is of a quiet and friendly disposition and shows her liking for children. A grandfather, Ruler of Duborough, was champion of the j British Isles.! i Mr Williamson has owned Bluebell since she was a pup. She was bred by Mr S. A. Hutcheson of Palmerston North. Some four months ago, Mr Williamson was visiting relatives in Wanganui when a small boy was missed from his home. Hearing j this Mr Williamson saw the police, and offered the services of Bluebell whom he had trained to track, to trace the lost child. There had been heavy rain the previous night and doubts were expressed whether the dog would be able to trace the child's 24-hour old scent. Bluebell was taken by her owner to the child's home where she was shown one of its shoes. She at once went to spots near the house where the parent's knew the child had been, and then, at her master's word set off into the streets. Mr Williamson followed at a distance of thirty yards, and Bluebell led to a small gap in a fence which led to a steep L drop into the Wanganui River. Those seeing the demonstration

had no doubt that the missing child had been drowned in the river. Taken again to the home, Bluebell again followed her previous track. Some time later the body was found, and • Bluebell 's feat received wide mention in the press, leading to suggestions that the Police Department should have such trained dogs, as is the case in Britain. j Mr Williamson received an enquiry from New Scotland Yard, London, as to thd dog's breed, following press references there to the event. He was advised later that the London police dogs do not include Great Danes, which breed was, however stated to be used in the German police force.