The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-30
DOGS AS sMUGGLERS.
CANNES Trained to Carry Contraband
Goods Across the French Frontier.
From Chambers Journal


From Chambers Journal
Among the many ingenious devices which
have been resorted to from time to time for
the purpose of evading the custom house
duties levied upon certain articles it may
not be generally known that our canine
friends in a neighboring country have
played no inconsiderable part, but have
been largely used as aiders ard abettors in
the nefarious trade of smuggling, them-
selves being the carriers of contraband
goods. Such has, however, been the case in
the north of France, and the way in which
the dog has been trained for the work of
smuggling and rendered an efficient agent
capable of being entrusted with the cargoes
which he was expected to bear in safety
over the frontiers is not without interest
The commodities which the dog conveyed
were chiefly lace and cigars, both of these
being light aud portable, and these articles
were actually carried to and fro between
Belgium and France for a considerable
time by means OF these sagacious creatures.
The dog required for the service was a
shaggy or long-coated one, and in addition
to his own natural garment, an overcoat,
consisting of the skin of another dog of
larger dimensions, was provided, which
was fitted on to his shoulders and, reaching
to his loins, was fastened under the belly,
closely packed. The false skins, moreover,
were so well adjusted as almost to defy the
closest scrutiny.
Besides this disguise these smuggling dogs
had to submit to a special traing before
they we're deemed suffice t and qualified
to enter upon the business required OF them.
For this purpose the master smuggler the
owner of the dog, made an initiative jour
ney under the guise Of a merchant or
MT rOip ~ vi III
to a relation in the customs, and he himself
would travel either by cart or by rail, while
his accompllce would lead the dog by a cord
through more circuitous and less freque ted
route to the same spot. The dog had previ-
ously been kept without food for at least
twenty-four hours, and upon his arrival
was welcomed ~ his master with many
caresses and an ample supply of his favorite
meat. After this satisfactory reception he
was confined and again kept without eating
for the space Of two or three days. After
that time he was released and then, hungry
and impatient, be would make for his
former home with all speed, travelling the
same route along which be had been previ-
ousy brought Men we're appointed to
watch for his coming and 20 waylay blm
with threateuingS aud if he were found TO
deviate from the route mapped out
for him and along which he tad
been taken, as If for the purpose
of making a short cut across any lane he
had TO travel, the dog was at once assailed
with blows from cudgels, stone peltings and
occasionally if be perversely persisted,
gun with blank cartridge was cred at him.
These men who assaulted the dog were gem
orally clothed in q manner which resembled
the uniform worn by the police and the
officers Of customs consequently a whole
some terror was thus duly impressed on the
animals mind in regard to all men wearing
any official dress, and such we're assidu-
ously avoided, while considerable caution
was also inspired with desire TO keep him
self concealed.
The dogs we're always forth in the twi-
light. 50 that they habitually made their
Journey during the night. BY these means,
strenuously carried out, complete train
ing was soon effected, through which the
dog, when deemed ht 10 enter upon his
smuggling career, was able, by his continual
excursions 70 and fro beyond the frontiers
with the valuable loads entrusted 70 him, TO
bring in an excellent income TO the master
engaged in this illegal trade