FOURFOOTED WITNESSES

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 12, 1894

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 15.

FOURFOOTED WITNESSES.

THE testimony of two large and magnificent mastiff dogs settled a lawsuit in Magistrate Tyrrell's court in Cincinnati recently. The squire was hearing the replevin suit of Dr. Edgar Buck against John Dallman, a saloon keeper. The dispute was upon the ownership of the dogs. The witnesses of both parties had been examined, when Dr. Buck arose and stated that he desired to introduce two witnesses who had not been heard. He was granted the privilege, whereupon Constable Ismael brought from a rear cell, where they were confined since their seizure by the officer, two fine, large, English mastiffs. The doctor introduced them as Dane and Hector, and requested that they be sworn.

The squire looked up in astonishment, but Dr. Buck insisted, and the magistrate, appreciating the situation, ordered the animals to raise their right hands. Instantly both dogs arose on their hind feet and raised the right paw. Dr. Buck then handed a paper containing several directions to the court. The first read, "Hector, stand up." This was put by the squire, whereupon the dog Hector arose as before, but without raising his paw. The same happened when Dane was told to arise. The next read, "Where is your master?" This was put to each dog in turn, and in each instance the animal walked back to Dr. Buck, who had gone to a far corner, and, fawning upon him, gave a short bark and returned to his place before the squire's rostrum.

Then the question, "Where is Dane?" was put to one dog, who, turning his head, looked straight at Dane and gave a short bark. The same performance was gone through by Dane concerning Hector. Upon this the defense moved that the dog farce be ruled out of the proceedings, but Squire Tyrrell overruled the motion. A judgment in favor of Dr. Buck was then given by the court, and the dogs turned over to him.—Boston Traveler.