The times., 1899-10-29
SUICIDES OF DOGS.
Death by Drowning and Starvation
Deliberately Chosen.

(Irom the London NeWs.)
The papers report that a dog committed
suicide the other day in the Lake of
Como. He was determined to end his
life, for a man pulled him out when the
big dog was half drowned, and drove him
away from the water. The dog was very
handsome, and the man had been admir-
ing him as the animal stood gazing into
the water. To see what further might
happen, the spectator returned to the lakes
brink and soon the dog was back again
and in the water. his head resolutely kept
beneath the surface. Again his admirer
pulled him to shore and made him run off
inland. the man returning TO his post Of
observation, whence, later he heard dis
tant splash, and recognized the dogs back.
The poor fellow was swimming fast away
from shore, his head, as before, held under
water His rescuer jumped into a boat
and pulled hard for where the dog was
struggling but was, TO his sorrow, too late.
The lifeless body already foated on the
water An autopsy proved that the fine
animal was healthy in every organ. and it
was consequently surmised that the rash
act must have had moral cause.
Clearly. the dog must have been unhap-
py and tired Of life. Canine suicides have
long been chronicled. About thirty years
ago a wretched old dog was turned from
q thankless masters door. The poor brute
sought shelter in another house, and Oh
being driven away was seen to stand gaZ-
ing at the rapid waters Of the Loire. He
lifted himself at last. slowly and evident
ly painfully, for a spring and fell into the
river. The spectator held cut a stick to
the dog, but he turned away and without
a struggle was washed rapidly down
stream.
= The deliberate suicide Of a valuable New
fpuudfaVfd balrUpfVp n 2 solicitor a Holm
firth is recorded in Jesse's Anecdotes of
Dogs" This dog seemed causelessly mel
sncholy. and tried 10 drown himself sew
eral times, but was rescued. At last he,
too, kept his head under water till he died
OF suffocation. A MIR. Nicol told Mr. Jesse
that he had seen a foxhound drown himself
Of set purpose. The informant said he
was ready TO make oath of the fact"
/ George Jesse, in Researches" gives an ac-
count Of a small Havana dog who drowned
himself at Honfeur
F. P Cobbc tells the following story,
vouched for by a friend: "A very old New
foundland the constant companion of the
children and Of invariably good temper
was one day sleeping. when q litle girl,
10 arouse him, gave ham a child's kick
The dog started from his sleep and seized
the small leg with his teeth but not
sharply enough 10 do any harm.
The nurse, however. ran up and beat
him with her handkerchief, scolding him
and telling him he should not 20 with
them for their walk, and when he tried
10 follow she shut the gate against him.
Not long after q groom saw the dog try
ing 70 drown himself in q ditch. and pull
ed him out shutting him up afterward in
a ward. That day and the next he refused
all food, but escaped to the same ditch
where he was eventually found drowned -
Nearly all records Of canine suicides have
70 do with drowning, but the last history
and some others-Where dogs have been
IN deep grief for a masters death-show q
deliberate intention 10 die by starvation
The author Of that more than delightful
volume, False Beasts and True" com
ments this on some OF the cases above
cited: 1T is hard to resist the conclusion
that II these tales be true the creatures
who thus acted both knew what death is,
and also were able deliberately 10 decide
that the short pain of death was better
than the prolonged one OF a miserable life.
Even supposing the dog, however, TO pos
sess the very high mental faculties needed
FOR such an argument the further mani
/ festation of deliberate will, powerful
enough 20 conquer the natural clingng 20
/ life OF all creatures. and to make the ami
nal resolutely keep his head under water
when few strokes OF his paws would save
him, IS most amazing" Elsewhere this
| true dog lover says; AS thought is still
thought, in whatsoever brain it is carried
| on, and love IS love In every breast which
/ beats with emotion. we are justified in as
Stunning that there is a real correspond
ence between the mental processes and
| feelings Of animals and our own"