Nelson: Saves Man in Melbourne Flood

Nelson, a Newfoundland, inspired the Australian folk band The Bastard Children to write a song about his heroic act in the 1880s.

Nelson and Bill Higginbotham

Nelson's heroic act occurred on November 15, 1881 when a cabman named Thomas Brown was swept away by flood waters in Melbourne, Australia. According to the Melbourne Herald in 1931 (50 years after the event), "Close to the gutter, which was a torrent five feet deep, seething to a culvert 50 yards down the hill, a cabman was trying to keep his horse still while waiting for his passengers. At length he clambered down to quieten the beast, and at that moment it tossed its head and knocked him insensible into the gutter. In a moment he was being swept down toward the culvert."

William John (Bill) Higginbotham and his dog Nelson heard Brown's cries for help. By nature, Newfoundlands are water dogs. Their muscular build, thick double coat and webbed feet make them excellent swimmers in rough conditions. Nelson jumped into the stream and caught hold of Brown's clothing. Because of the force of the water, the dog could not keep his grip and Brown swept quickly down the block. This happened a few more times before Nelson, Bill and another man were able to haul Brown out of the water. The cabman's clothes were badly torn, believed to be a result from Nelson's efforts to catch hold of him.

Nelson was presented with a silver dog collar for his heroism. According to Bill's son Charles, "Nelson never fully recovered from the effects of the choking struggle in the culvert, although he was able to take part in the annual procession of the Albion Fire Brigade six months later, and half the city turned out to see him presented with a silver collar for his part in the rescue." The collar can be found in the National Museum of Australia.

Nelson the Newfoundland

Seven Honored Dogs Who Saved Lives From the Blitz Bombings

Seven dogs became famous in history as heroes for having saved many lives from ruined buildings during the German bombing campaign on British cities during WWII.

When the Germans failed to cripple Britain's air power in anticipation of a land invasion, Hitler decided to create sheer terror as his weapon of choice in hopes that the government would surrender. On September 7, 1940 the Luftwaffe (the Nazi German Air Force) began a bombing campaign against London and other British cities. The bombings, which occurred mostly at night, became known as the blitz - an abbreviation of the German word blitzkrieg meaning lightning war. The attacks continued for eight months, ending May 11, 1941. When over, more than one million people were homeless and tens of thousands were injured and killed (including many civilians), but the Luftwaffe failed at what they were hoping for. More would have died if it weren't for the following dogs:

Irma

Irma was initially a messenger dog in the war but was later retrained to become a search and rescue dog. She had a remarkable ability of finding victims buried under difficult places and even had a special bark to let her handler know if the buried person was alive or dead. On one occasion, Irma signaled with an alive bark and rescuers dug out a man who was apparently dead, but the man eventually stirred proving Irma was right. Irma and a young dog named Psyche who was being trained helped locate 233 people, 21 of whom were found alive.

Beauty

Not all victims from the blitz attacks were people, many were beloved pets. Beauty belonged to Bill Barnett, a PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals - UK veterinary charity) superintendent who led a rescue squad for animals. Barnett would take Beauty with him on rescue missions to keep him company, but the dog soon wanted to join in on the search. She started to dig in the rubble and within minutes Beauty found a cat, her first of 63 animals she went on to save.

Jet

Jet was initially trained in anti-sabotage work and was later trained in search and rescue duties. He helped save over 100 people from ruined buildings. Historian Ian Kikuchi, who works at Imperial War Museum London said "Even when searching piles of the remains of factories full of dangerous chemical and poisonous smoke, Jet's incredible sense of smell was still able to detect survivors." He was not afraid to enter burning buildings, and once found an elderly woman in a building that was already considered thoroughly searched.

Rip

Rip was a stray dog after his home was bombed and was adopted by the Air Raid Warden. He was made the unit's mascot but began sniffing out casualties when taken to the bombing sites, a job he enjoyed doing. Like Beauty, he was never trained for search and rescue work but took to it instinctively. He was credited for rescuing more than 100 victims.

Peter

Before Peter was offered to the government for war service, he was always getting into trouble such as fighting with other dogs and chewing anything he could get hold of. He was trained as a rescue dog and proved to be a good one. He was credited for finding many bodies and saving six lives, including the life of a small boy. It is said Peter's speed in finding victims saved the men many hours of useless digging.

Rex and Thorn

Rex, trained as a rescue dog, saved 65 people by physically dragging them out of the rubble and leading rescuers to those he couldn't. It is said his uncanny intelligence and outstanding determination helped him find victims in burning buildings despite the intense heat, thick smoke and smouldering debris.

Thorn, who came from a distinguished line of search and rescue dogs, was fearless when finding casualties in unstable situations. Rescuers were baffled in how well he could pick up a scent, including the time he found a family trapped under a burning house, having saved all of their lives.

All seven dogs were awarded the Dickin Medal, the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross, in 1945 for the outstanding work they did during the German blitzkrieg attacks.

Romey: Johnstown Flood Hero

Romey became famous in history for his heroic act during the deadliest disaster in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Kress with daughter and Romey

The people of Johnstown, Pennsylvania were accustomed to some flooding after heavy rains and fast-melting snow, as their city was built in a valley between two rivers. However, on May 31, 1889, the 25,000 inhabitants were unprepared when a dam at the foot of a mountain lake 14 miles above the city broke. Twenty million tons of water swept through the city killing over 2,200 people. Many corpses were found miles down the valley (one body was said to have been found more than 100 miles away in Steubenville, Ohio) and the bodies of some victims were not found until 20 years later.

Charles Kress and his wife, child and housemaid were among the survivors. They were able to escape the water by climbing to the rooftop of their home, but as the water churned around the house Mrs. Kress, her daughter and the housemaid fell into the water. The family dog, a Newfoundland named Romey, jumped into the water to rescue them. Newfoundlands are strong dogs that were bred to swim in rough waters. The women and child were able to latch on to Romey as he towed them back to the edge of the roof where Mr. Kress pulled them to safety.

The news of Romey's heroic act can be found in the archives of the Johnstown Flood Museum.

Rebuilding Johnstown took years. This was the first major peacetime relief effort for the American Red Cross.

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Swansea Jack: Canine Lifeguard

Jack became a famous dog in history for saving lives from the docks and riverbanks of Swansea.

Jack, born in 1930 and owned by William Thomas, was a black retriever who loved to lounge on the docks of Swansea. In 1931, Jack saved a 12 year old boy from drowning in the nearby river. The rescue was unnoticed by the community, but the boy maintained it was Jack who jumped into the water and pulled him to safety. This astonishing act went unreported, but a few weeks later Jack rescued another distressed swimmer in front of a crowd of people who watched anxiously in suspense. This time his heroic story appeared in the paper, and the local council was so impressed that they presented Jack with a silver collar.

Swansea Jack, as the dog came to be known, continued to save lives. He was said to patrol the docks and beaches, ready to rescue those who needed his help. Jack soon became a celebrity and often appeared with Thomas at shows and functions, where people were photographed alongside the famous dog.

In 1936, Jack was awarded Bravest Dog of the Year by the London Star newspaper. He received a silver cup from the Lord Mayor of London, and he was given two bronze medals from the National Canine Defense League (now known as Dogs Trust).

Jack died at an early age in 1937 after eating rat poison near his home. According to a news article after his death "He had not only perfect courage and the instincts of his grand breed; but he had an innate genius for knowing just how and where to seize even the most hysterical human, struggling in deep water; and how best to tow the victim safely to shore."

Jack's body was wrapped and buried in Thomas's home garden. The Swansea public felt Jack deserved recognition for all the lives he saved and suggested the dog should have a proper burial place befitting his heroism. A local undertaker made a coffin for Jack's body, which was exhumed from Thomas's garden, and his body was laid to rest near the sea on the promenade in Swansea, at a public ceremony. One year after his death, to commemorate his bravery, a memorial stone was erected on the burial site. The epitaph reads:

ERECTED TO THE MEMORY OF
SWANSEA JACK
THE BRAVE RETRIEVER WHO SAVED 27 HUMAN
AND 2 CANINE LIVES FROM DROWNING
LOVED AND MOURNED BY ALL DOG LOVERS
DIED OCTOBER 2ND 1937 AT THE AGE OF 7 YEARS
NE'ER HAD MANKIND MORE FAITHFUL FRIEND THAN THOU
WHO OFT THY LIFE DIDST LEND TO SAVE SOME HUMAN
SOUL FROM DEATH
OWNER & TRAINER WM. THOMAS

In 2000, Jack was named Dog of the Century by Newfound Friends.

Hairy Man: Swims Through Raging Waters to Save Lives

Hairy Man became famous in history for helping his family rescue survivors of a shipwreck during a storm in the early 1800s.

On June 3, 1828, the 100 foot sailing vessel Dispatch, carrying approximately 200 immigrants and 11 crew members, departed Ireland and headed for Quebec. On the evening of July 10, the ship struck submerged rock and dangerous shoals during a heavy storm with hurricane force winds near the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland. Two days later, fisherman George Harvey discovered supplies and driftwood along the beach, signs of a shipwreck nearby.

The following day, the weather had weakened enough for George, his 17 year old daughter Ann, his 12 year old son Tom and their Newfoundland dog Hairy Man to set off in their small boat to search for survivors. They rowed through the wind, pouring rain and heavy surf for two hours before finding a large group of survivors clinging to the rocks on a small island three miles from shore. Because of the heavy waves, George could get no closer than 100 feet of the island so he sends Hairy Man into the water to create a lifeline. By nature, Newfoundlands are water dogs. Their muscular build, thick double coat and webbed feet make them excellent swimmers in rough conditions. The survivors were able to follow the rope to the boat. For three days, the Harveys and Hairy Man risked their lives bringing survivors to shore.

The Harveys and neighbors (on their remote island) nursed, clothed and fed the survivors until a ship was able to pick them up. According to a story published in the Acadian Recorder on August 2, 1828, 152 people survived.

The Harvey family was awarded a medal and large sum of money for their heroic acts. In 1838, George and Ann (no dog was mentioned) came to the rescue a second time saving 32 crew members from the Scottish merchant ship Rankin. In 1987, the Canadian Coast Guard commissioned a ship christened CCGS Ann Harvey.

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Sheila: Only Non-Military Dog to Receive Dickin Medal

Sheila, a shepherd's dog, became famous in history for finding four American airmen lost on the Cheviot Hills in a blizzard after a crash during the Second World War.

John Dagg and Sheila

On December 16, 1944, John Dagg of Dunsdale and his dog Sheila had finished their tasks tending to the sheep around lunchtime when they heard the engines of a plane overhead and then the sound of it crashing way up the hill. Dagg and his collie climbed the hill in fog and snow to see if they could help. At the top of the hill the snow was blowing hard making it difficult to see the plane.

The plane was a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress from the US 8th Air Force carrying a full payload of bombs. Sheila was able to lead Dagg to the aircraft and to four airmen who were taking shelter in a nearby crevice. Dagg and another shepherd who heard the crash helped the airmen down the hill. One was badly injured. Shortly after they reached Dagg's cottage the bombs on the B-17 exploded, shattering two windows in the house.

Because of their actions, Lt George Kyle, Sgt Howard Delaney, Sgt George Smith and Sgt Joel Berly survived. It was later discovered that two airmen died in the crumpled nose of the plane when it crashed and three others had found their way down the hill believing they were the only survivors.

For their bravery, Dagg and the other shepherd received the British Empire Medal and Sheila was awarded the PDSA Dickin Medal. Sheila is the only civilian to receive the medal that is often referred to as the animal equivalent of the Victoria Cross.

In 1946, one of Sheila's puppies named Tibbie was sent to America to the family of Sgt. Turner who did not survive the B-17 crash.

Red Cross Dogs: Saving Lives on the Battlefield

Red Cross dogs became famous in history for helping wounded soldiers in hostile territory during the First World War.

Red Cross dogs were vital in helping wounded soldiers during World War I when trench warfare was used. They were normally sent out at night into no man's land (the ground between the two opposing trenches) when the battles were not raging to locate the injured men. Their keen sense of smell and good night vision gave them the advantage of finding soldiers in the dark without bringing much attention to the enemy.

Many breeds were used as Red Cross dogs, also called Mercy dogs, including German shepherds, sheepdogs, Airedale terriers, bloodhounds, retrievers and collies. According to the Red Cross, it was about the character of the dog, not the breed. Before being sent to the battlefields, the dogs were trained under realistic battle conditions. After a few weeks of training, they were ready to serve their country. They knew which soldiers to help by the type of uniform they wore, and they knew to help only those who were still alive.

Saddlebags carrying water and first aid equipment were often strapped to the dogs when they went searching for the men. If the dog found a soldier who was not too badly wounded, the soldier could often stabilize his injuries using the medical supplies and then follow the dog back to the trench. If the soldier was unable to walk or was unconscious, the dog would return to his handler bringing back the wounded man's helmet or a piece of his uniform to indicate to their keeper that they had located someone. The dog would then lead a stretcher party to the victim. If the soldier was near death, the dog would stay and comfort him while he died.

It's estimated that there were upwards of 10,000 Red Cross dogs used during the Great War, and they were credited for saving thousands of lives over the course of the war. They were able to locate wounded soldiers in hard to find places such as in thickets and bushes and at the bottom of deep ravines. The dogs would also lead the men to bodies that were thought to be dead but when brought back to the medics they discovered they still had life in them. One surgeon recalled "It is purely a matter of their instinct, which is far more effective than man’s reasoning powers.”

One notable dog belonging to the French army, Prusco, was credited with saving over a hundred men after one battle. Sometimes Prusco would drag a soldier to a safe place from enemy fire before running back to his handler.

Red Cross dogs were true heroes during WWI and will always be remembered for their bravery, intelligence and kind hearts.

How Mercy Dogs Saved WWI Soldiers on Battlefields Card
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St. Bernards: Famous Search and Rescue Dogs

St. Bernards became famous in history as search and rescue dogs in the Western Alps. They helped save more than 2,000 lives over a span of nearly 200 years.

Barry

St. Bernards are gentle giants. Their average weight today is 120-180 pounds. Larger individuals are said to reach over 200 pounds. The original St. Bernard, a descendant of the mastiff style Asiatic dog, was smaller in size, had shorter fur and a longer tail.

Around the year 1050, an Augustine monk named St. Bernard de Menthon founded a hospice and monastery to help provide food and shelter to travelers crossing the Great St. Bernard Pass (named after him), a 49 mile route between Italy and Switzerland high in the mountains. About 1660-1670, the monks got their first St. Bernards (brought over by the Romans) to serve as their companions and watchdogs. Around 1700, servants called marroniers would accompany travelers on the treacherous route when covered with snow. By 1750, the servants would take the dogs with them. The St. Bernards would walk in front of the travelers, clearing a path through the snow with their broad chests. The dogs were able to tolerate the cold conditions and had an uncanny sense of direction. They could find their way through heavy fog and blizzards. The marroniers soon discovered they also had the ability to find people buried deep in the snow with their tremendous sense of smell.

A team of St. Bernards, two monks and a workman rescue an injured traveler

The dogs were then used to go out on their own to rescue lost and injured travelers on the St. Bernard Pass. If a person was buried under snow, the dogs would dig them out. One dog would then lick the person's face and lie beside him, thus reviving and warming the person, while another dog would return to the hospice to alert the monks. One St. Bernard, Barry, became famous for saving more than 40 people between 1800 and 1812. Barry's body was preserved and is on display at the Natural History Museum in Bern, Switzerland, and a monument to Barry is placed at an elaborate pet cemetery in France.

The winters of 1816-1818 were particularly severe, and many dogs died in avalanches while trying to rescue people. The dogs living at the hospice came close to extinction, but were later saved when similar dogs from nearby valleys were given to the monks to be used as breeding stock. In 1830, the monks started to breed their dogs with Newfoundlands so the dog's coat would be longer and more suited for the cold environment. The dog's coat did become longer, but ice formed on the hairs making rescues more difficult. These long-haired dogs were not kept for rescue work, and were given away to people in surrounding valleys.

In 1855, an innkeeper named Heinrich Schumacher began breeding the dogs using a studbook. He supplied the hospice with dogs and also exported them to other countries, including the US. People then began breeding the dogs indiscriminately, like with English Mastiffs, which resulted in the St. Bernards common appearance today. During this time, there was no official name for the dog breed. They were known by several names: Barry Dogs as a tribute, Hospice Dogs, Alpine Mastiffs, Mountain Dogs, Swiss Alpine Dogs and St. Bernard Mastiffs. In 1880, the Swiss Kennel Club officially named the breed St. Bernard, after St. Bernard de Menthon.

St. Bernard dogs are no longer used for rescues on the pass. Traveling is now easier by train via tunnels through the Alps, and helicopters are used for rescue if needed. In 2005, the Barry Foundation in Martigny, Switzerland took over the breeding kennels. They breed an average of 20 St. Bernard puppies every year, preserving the typical characteristics of the famous hospice rescue dogs.