The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1907-10-30
HOGS AS WATCHDOGS.

The javeline, or Mexican wild hog,
is in common use by ranchmen
throughout this section as a watch
dog, writes a correspondent of the
Washington Post from Cotulla, Texas.
They are far superior to the ordinary
dog for that purpose, and are easily
domesticated IL taken when young.
The iaveline of the Southwest has
few characteristics of the domestic
hog beyond the appearance. In point
Of fearlessness and courage 1t sur
passes any other animal that roams
the chapparal of the Southwest. 1t
Is one of the few wild animals that
does not hesitate to attack man. 1t is
feared by every deer hunter who WIS.,
its this region. Innumerable in
stances are known of hunters having
been forced to seek refuge in trees to
escape javelines. President Roose-
welt, when Police Commissioner of
New York, made trip all the way to
Texas to hunt javelines, and spent
two days on a ranch near Uvalde.
When taken as pigs and domesti-
Gated the javelines can easily be
trained to do almost any trick that
can be taught to the most intelligent
dog. They are quick to learn to
know the members of the family, and
no strange human being or animal Is
permitted to enter the house or yard
of home where pet javeline is on
guard. They have bark which is
somewhat similar to that of dog,
and when danger approaches they set
up their peculiar cry.
A javeline has been kept at the
ranch home of Howard Buntin, thirty
miles west Of Cotulla, for several
years. This animal has a free run
of the place, including the house. The
animals are clean in their nature, and
are not offensive around the house.
One day recently Mr.. Buntin had a
guest to dinner. The javeline was
not around when the stranger entered
the house. The meal was in progress
when the javeline came across the
boots of the stranger. Without any
preliminary ceremony the animal
made an attack upon the feet and
legs of the stranger. The boots were
torn to pieces and the man severely
injured by the tusks of the beast be-
fore it could be driven off.
It is the usual custom, on account
of the viciousnessness of the jave-
lines, to knock out their tusks when
they are domesticated. Until this is
done they are likely to infict serious
injuries.
Seth Moore lost twelve fine hunting
dogs at the hands of one of these
javeline "watchdogs" not long ago
in a few minutes. Mr.. Moore had
been out hunting and had all of his
pack of dogs with him. At noon he
rode up to the ranch house of man
employed on the Richardson place
to get something to eat. The house
was guarded by a javeline, and the
animal would not let Mr.. Moore enter
the gate. In thoughtless moment
Mr.. Moore set his dogs upon the ami
NAL. The fight that followed was the
bloodiest affair he ever witnessed,
Mr.. Moore says. The javeline well
coined the onslaught of the twelve
dogs. AS fast as one of them got
within striking distance the javeline's
tusk would rip the assailant wide
open.
The skin of the javeline is very
thick and it is impossible for the
teeth of dog to penetrate it. It's
only vulnerable part is it's ears and
the tip of it's snout. It's long tusks
protect it from being caught in those
parts by dogs.
The javelines in their wild state
are strictly vegetarians, but when do
mesticated they will eat meat and
almost anything that is fed to them.
They are naturally 1.-THE and muscular
and will not take on fat like the Or
diDary hog, even when abundantly
fed.
The javeline is a favorite pet for
children in many ranch houses of this