The Express.
London, England, 1853-01-25 00:00:00

CURIOUS CASE OF HYDROPHOBIA IN
SHEEP.

A somewhat extraordinary series of events have
lately occurred in this neighbourhood, involving the loss of
• number of sheep. The circumstances are as follow:—On
the evening of the 17th December last, Mr. Sinclair, James-
street, Macduff, observed one of his sheep, which had been
at pasture in • park near the town, making towards his
house bleeding copiously. In examining it he discovered
that the lower jaw bone of the animal had been broken.
Naturally anxious for the safety of the rest, he proceeded
to the field, on reaching which, he found two of his sheep
I lying dead, fearfully mangled. Beside the carcases
crouched a large dog, which began to growl at, and
' seemed not indisooeed to attack, Mr. Sinclair. He suc-
ceeded, however, in driving him off; but as the night was
coming on, he failed to identify the animal. The wounded
sheep was so much injured that there was no hope of its
continued existence, and it was accordingly put to death.
Next day information was made to the authorities by Mr.
M'Pherson, farmer, Melrose, that on the same night os
which the above took place his flek of sheep bad been
attacked by a strange dug while in their (old, and that
several of them had been destroyed. On inquiry being
made, it appeared that on the night in question, Mr.
M'Pherson's shepherd was aroused by hearing a peculiar
sound as if of struggling, proceeding from the sheep cote.
He at once got out of bed, and, taking the precaution
to load his gun, proceeded to the spot. Here he
observed a large deg working sad havoc, worrying the
sheep in • most savage manner. Seising a favourable
opportunity, which soon offered, the shepherd fired his
piece and sounded the dog, which then tin off a short
distance. The shepherd, again loading the gun, dis-
charged it at the animal, again wounding him. The savage
creature now turned upon has assailant, offering serious
resistance, but he was beat down with the butt end of the
gun and killed on the spot. The dog was a large powerful
dark gray animal, and was judged to be a cross between •
bull dog and • collie. On examining the flock, it was
discovered that the brute had managed to kill (our of
the sheep, besides severely wounding other four. At the
time the unfortunate occurrence took place, it was not
suspected that the dog was in a rabid state. Next day,
however, Mr. M'Pherson took the precaution to remove
the four wounded animals from the rest of the fl
They were carefully attended, and had in a measure
regained their wonted appearance. On the 6th instant,
however, two of them began to assume a restless appear
ance, and refused to feed. On the Sth still more
characteristic symptoms were exhibited, and the fell dis-
ease, hydrophobia, was only too apparent. The poor crea-
tures foamed at the mouth, and, contrary to their nature,
became completely furious, attempting to butt the shep-
herd, who was at last obliged to put a period to their misera.
ble exia'eoce. Three days after namely, on the 11th,
another of the flock, au animal whichi had been wounded
by the rabid dog, but so slightly that it was not previously
observed, also exhibited unmistakeable symptoms of being
infected by the same disease, and was put to death en the
following day, along with three others which were then dis-
covered to be in the same unfortunate condition. On the
14th, • careful examination of the entire flock was made,
when an additional animal was found to be in the last
stages of the frightful disease, and was immediately de-
stroyed. The number of sheep thus lost to Mr. M'Pher-
son as not less thin 11 out of a flock of 74. The carcases of
the whole 14 were either buried or otherwise so disposed of
that no don or other animals could have access to feed on
them.—Bonffshire Journal.