The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-02
CANINE INTELLIGENCE.
Has Helped to Abolish Night Crime in
 Worst Quarters of Ghent.

From William c. Fitz-Gerald's ",rhe Dog
 Police of European Cities" in the Octo-
 Der Century
 That policeman on night duty in a great city would be more respected by criminals if accompanied by a powerful and sagacious dog, Is reasonable sup position; yet it remained for little Bel gium to carry out this innovation in Antwerp, Ghent, Mons, Bruges and Os- tend-an innovation which has now spread to other parts of Europe.
 As time went on and the number of dogs was increased, 1t became apparent that night crimes, even in the worst quarters of Ghent, almost disappeared. Cunning rufhans had often contrived to outwit the soldlery patrol, but these big swift silent-footed and sagacious sheep- dogs inspired terror in the most desperate evil-doers.
 The night service of the city is now made by about one hundred and twenty guards, assisted by fifty or sixty per fectly trained dog police The city is divided Into a hundred and twenty sec tion. so arranged that man and dog can always count on their neighbors' support If occasion should arise. Careful check is kept upon the men, that they visit every yard of their beat; but even if the men are inclined to shirk their work the dogs will keep them up to 1t. If the night guards are used by day, they get extra pay. and corresponding number of hours is taken from their next night watch
 Relating the achievements of his dogs, M. Van Wesemeal told of an arrest by one of them named Beer. One night Beer came upon five drunken fellows wreckng a saloon on the outskirts of the city The men were making a great up- roar, and a resolute resistance to the law was feared. Beers muzzle was removed, and the fine animal sprang forward with out a sound. When the patrol reached the spot, four of the men had fled and Beer was clutching the fifth by the leg The moment the officer appeared, Beer gave up his prisoner and was off like the wind on the trail of the fugitives. The patrol followed with his prisoner, guided by a series of .>cTe, sharp barks. Presently he came upon the other four, who had turned at bay and were trying to keep the dauntless Beer from tear ing them to pieces Thoroughly fright ened-sobered even-the men offered to give themselves up if Beer were con trolled and muzzled. This was promptly done, though not without little protest from Beer himself, and the procession started for the central police bureau, with the victorious Beer now at liberty to give vent to his joy, barking and rac- ing round his prisoners, exactly as if they had been a flock of sheep.
 Tom is another dog no less alert. One winter night in a quiet street near the docks he met man with a sack. Tom was alone at the moment, but as both sack and man seemed queer to him, he gave the alarm, repudiating all attempts at anxious conciliation. In a minute or two Toms colleague came along and asked about the sack. The explanation being somewhat lame. the man was in vited to the police bureau. There he confessed that he had stolen a piece of beef and several dozen eggs from a small store on the outskirts of the city.
 Hippo Is another terror to burglars. He is record racer of great weight and strength long and lean of fang, fast swimmer a high jumper, and so daring that not even point-blank revolver shots will turn him from his duty. He has been wounded more than once and has narrowly escaped death.