The San Francisco call., 1913-08-31
DOGS, VALUE TO POLICE PROVED /

DOGS VALUE TO POLICE PROVED
The value of dogs as an aid to the
police force of q large city was dis
played on August 2S at Van Cortlandi
park. New York. Among the 10000
people who witnessed the trials were
numerous police officials from other
cities. This trial was one of the
biggest and most complete that has
ever been held in this country. II
was under the auspices OF the New
York Sun and was greatly supported
by members OF the German Sheep Dog
club OF America.
The grounds were crowded and one
had only to look around him to real
ize the interest that the police dog Is
creating. There was free comment
among the spectators on the slowness
Of the New York police force. which
is admitted to be one of the finest in
the world, in adopting these wonder
ful canine detectives. Throughout
Europe their use is quite common,
and they have been found to be in
valuable.
In many sections of the German
army each company has its own prf-
vate kennel of dogs, seven or eight
In number, and the CANNES are SO
tutored that they will obey the COM
mand OF each and every man In the
company. They are utilized for all
kinds of things. from doing sentry
duty at night to carrying first aid
pouches and fetching ammunition In
times OF action.
The program was opened with a
feat which brought out the ability
with which the dogs follow a scent.
One of the trainers came out in mid
field and stood there while another
theoretically knocked him uncon-
scious with a brick. The assailant
then ran for cover. leaving the first
one. d policeman, lying senseless.
A large German sheep dog. Pasha
Won Hochwacht. owned by Benjamin
H. Throop of Scranton, Pa, was
brought onto the field by another
policeman. Pasha went nosing around
and soon found the PROSTATE form
of the unconscious policeman. It
was only short time before Pasha
found the brick, which he smelled
carefully. He took but little time in
a trot in the direction taken by the
fugitive. The dog caught and held
the thug who was provided with
a heavily padded canvas suit. until
his guide came up and made the man
prisoner.
Having brought the fugitive back
to proper hands, Pasha Immediately
trailed over to where the policeman
had been struck. Benjamin ii. Throop
vas on the scene. acting as doctor,
and chased the dog off to fetch a
medicine pouch. To give the dog a
more difficult task the pouch was
taken from its regular place and was
replaced by a stick of wood. Taking
f.f.. y Do 17o 10 ~ II
for his master, but half way there
he discovered his mistake and went
back. found the pouch and delivered
1t This trial was made many times
harder by the fact that thousands of
people had been walking on the field,
leaving so many scents that the four
footed detective had to use rare dis
eernment in following the right trail.
JUMPS NINE FOOT FENCE
The dogs were next tested as to
their ability to jump fences The
boards were first mounted to height
of six feet, and four of the entrants,
Dina. Grutli Won Seengen. He-ta Won
Ehsengrund and Pasha- topped 1t with
hardly an effort. As the boards were
raised all except Pasha fell by the
wayside. The latter finally cleared
the fence when the boards had been
raised to a height Of nine feet.
One of the most interesting per-
formances of the afternoon was the
capturing OF a group of gunmen"
who were trying to escape In taxi
cab, The gunner were arrayed In
costumes that resembled nothing so
much as the suits worn by football
players in the days of the .'old game
The automobile came down the field
at a fair rate of speed and the gang
sters were recognized by policeman
The bluecoat told the dog to stop the
machine and. while the beast was
doing his best, called for assistance.
Two others came up and Joined In
the merry chase. The gunmen opened
fire, but the dogs. needless of tho
shots. worried the chauffeur SO that
he could not drive the car.
On finding that their only hope of
escape was in running, the gunmen
made break to get away. Each OF
the three dogs picked out a man. and
each was successful in bringing down
the object of his chase.
Charles Thalhoper. one of the gun
men" who was decked out in a
padded canvas suit. was badly bruised
IN the arm where the padding was
not thick enough. The dog to find
this vulnerable spot was Mrs. B. II.
Throops $4,000 beauty, Herta-
The best test OF obedience was the
meat test" lump Of rich red beef
was placed on the ground by a
stranger, but Pasha refused to eat It..
The same test was passed by the ball
ance Of the dogs. The dogs also
caught and threw running men,
guarded objects left In their charge
by their handlers trailed escaped
criminals" and otherwise demon
strated their usefulness in the pre-
ventson and detection of crime.
The only case in which the dogs
were unsuccessful could hardly be
called a failure. as the trial was
really too severe test for them.
Perhaps in later years, If the police
dog continues to improve. II VIII be
an easy matter. Six men stood in line
about six PAGES apart. The Swiss
animal, handled by Hauri. worked up
and down the line; her diligence was
pathetic and the crowd wanted to see
her endeavors rewarded. but she
failed. To those who could under
stand her intense desire to succeed
and her determination to win out,
there was glory and victory in her
efforts.
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