COLLIES AS POLICE AIDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3666, 30 October 1912, Page 10

COLLIES AS POLICE AIDS.

British collie dogs are in great,favor in the United States just now on account of their great intelligence and general usefulness. During the spring and summer a great many pedigree prize-winners have been purchased in Scotland and the Northern counties for the" United States Government, though the fact did not become known until quite recently. Most of the dogs are intended for breeding purposes, and will be hired out to various State and municipal governments, which have found collies invaluable as police dogs, especially in the outlying districts. Two of the Late'st purchases, however, have a far greater field of activity mapped out for them. They are Lass and Major, both blue-blooded aristocrats of the canine world, and are now on their way to Alaska, with four other collies of less noble strain, in charge of Mr. A. N. Evans, superintendent of the north-west district for the Department of Education. On' their arrival the six collies ww. be employed in instructing native-bred collies, shepherds, and the half-wild huskies of the wild north in the herding of Government reindeer, which have increased so rapidly during the past 10 years that they can now be handled only in great herds (says the ‘‘Evening Standard”). Among the places to be visited by the collie teachers will he St. Michael, Teller, and St. Lawrence Island. Mr. Evans declares that his experience in the far north have convinced him that at herding the collie exceeds every breed of dog known to man. With Lass and Major he expects to accomplish wonders in training the native dogs of Alaska. Owing to their hardiness they are also well adapted to tho severe winter climate.

During their, brief stay in Seattle before sailing north Major made tlieir visit memorablo by falling into the hands of tho local dog-catcher. There was almost as much consternation over his sudden disappearance as there would have been over some important Government official. Detectives were employd, and a thorough search was instituted in every direction, while all the railway stations and steamship piers were watched 1 night and day. After. the fourth day Major was found and rescued from durance vile by Mr. W. T. Loop, chief of the Alaskan division of the Education Department, in a soiled and worn-out condition, but otherwise none the worse for Lis adventure.