The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1867-04-03
Fight Between a Rat Terrier
and Swarm OF Rats-T n Q
Dog Vanquished And DeVOur-
ed-Funeral Of the Victims OF
the Contest.

The Milwaukee Sentinel youches for
the following remarkable incident:
"Near one Of our grain warehouses sit
uated on the river bank, large swarms Of
rats have been in the habit Of feasting on
the wheat which has been scattered a.
r, und. A few days ago terrier getting
wind Of the rendezvous, made an attack
upon couple of rats that had ventured
too far into the open air. Seizing one in
its teeth, it shook it vigorously. The rat
squealed piteously, attracting to the spot
dozen or more companions. These, on
seeing the situation Of affairs, Joined in
raising the alarm. In less time than it
takes us to tell the incident, the ice a.
ound was black with swarm of rats,
numbering several hundreds. The terri
er, after dispatching the first victim,
charged into the swarm with the evident
determination Of serving the remainder
in like manner. But for once terrier
was doomed to meet with fight from the
poor animals he had SO long devoured at
pleasure, and in trice he was surround.
ed on all sides by swarm Of ferocious
brutes anxious to be avenged for the
death Of their companion. Then ensued
the most frightful scene imaginable
The rats sYarmed around their adversary
and fastened their claws and teeth into
his flesh. The dog, enraged by the pain
fought bravely, killing scores Of his ene-
mics in his contest for life. But the odds
against him were so great, and after
sharp conflict, which lasted for about five
minutes, he was forced to succumb. His
body was literally devoured by the rats,
they seeming to take a fendish, savage
pleasure in tearing their vanquished enc
my to peacemeal. Scarce vestige of the
animal remained behind. The terrier
died game, however, for there were about
half hundred rats left upon the field,
bleeding and mangled, and as many more
or less injured
"a singular instance Of the kindness of
dumb..animals to their fellows was noticed
at the conclusion of the combat. A mum.
Der of the combatants had been somewhat
lacerated ty the teeth ofthe dogs. Their
companions gathered in groups around
them, licked the blood from ther wounds,
and then tenderly carried them in their
teeth to ther nests. The bodies Of the
slain were as tenderly cared for. One by
one they were carried away to a holsiu
the ice near by, where they were piled
up. When all the bodies had been gath
cred together, the survivors grouped
around them, and one of the number,
mounting upon the pile of bodies, seemed
to deliver brief funeral grafton over the
remains Of their companions. The ut
most stiffness reigned among the compa
ny during the address of their chief. The
whole company then proceeded to tumble
their dead companions into the water,
where they soon sank from sight. In half
an hour scarcely vestige of the conflict
remained; This funeral service was the
most extraordinary instance of the kind
we hayt Yet observed, and Is we'll deserving
Of the d - Of naturalists. The 6ght as
a whole Nd have delighted sporting
men and uSg fanoiers. 1t was highly in.
teresting to the few who observed it,"