Red Dog (Karratha)

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Red Dog Statue, Dampier, Western Australia

Red Dog (1971- November 20, 1979) was a Kelpie/Cattle dog cross which was well-known for his travels through Western Australia's Pilbara region. There is a statue in his memory in Dampier, Western Australia, which is one of the towns to which he often returned.[1][2] He is frequently referred to as a "Red Kelpie",[3] or a "Red Cloud Kelpie" although no such breeds exist.[4]

Red Dog is believed to have been born in the town of Paraburdoo, Western Australia in 1971[5] and had a variety of names to those who knew him, including: Bluey, Tally Ho, and Dog of the Northwest.[6] Tally Ho was his first name, given to him by a man called Colonel Cummings, who is believed to have been his first owner and the one who brought him to Dampier. The nickname, "Red Dog" has been attributed to the red dirt of the Pilbara Region. His second owner was John Stazzonelli, a truck driver with Hammersley Iron, whose work allowed Red to travel as far as Perth, Broome, Roebourne, Point Samson and Port Hedland.[7]

Following John's death in 1975, Red spent a lot of time traveling on his own although he was taken in by many members of the community and a veterinarian who treated him.[6] Red was made a member of the Dampier Salts Sport and Social Club and the Transport Union. He was also given a bank account with Wales Bank, which is said to have used him as a mascot and sales tool with the slogan, "If Red banks at the Wales, then you can too".[6] Although he had many friends, it is believed that his death in 1979 was caused by deliberate strychnine poisoning. Red is buried in an unmarked grave somewhere between Dampier and Karratha.[8]

Red Dog's story and statue have caught the attention of a number of people passing through Dampier including British author Louis de Bernières, who was inspired to write a book about him,[9] and Australian Author Nancy Gillespie, who also wrote about Red.[10]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Ashworth, Susie; Rebecca Turner, Simone Egger (2004). Western Australia. Lonely Planet, 203-204. ISBN:1740594592. 
  2. ^ Dampier. The Sydney Morning Herald (2004-02-08). Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
  3. ^ Mark Sanderson (2001-09-24). Animal Tragic. The Evening Standard. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
  4. ^ Toby Clements (2001-12-22). A Modest Proposal. The Telegraph. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
  5. ^ Duckett, Beverley (1989). Red Dog The Pilbara Wanderer. 
  6. ^ a b c Gordon, Ruth (2000). It Takes a Dog to Raise a Village: True Stories of Remarkable Canine Vagabonds. Willow Creek Press, 137 - 151. ISBN:1572233001. 
  7. ^ Candice Silverman (2006-09-23). Life as a Dogged Hobo. The Sunday Times. Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
  8. ^ Visitor Information. Shire of Roebourne (1999). Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
  9. ^ De Bernières, Louis (2001). Red Dog. Pantheon Books. ISBN:0375421556. 
  10. ^ Gillespie, Nancy (1983). Red Dog. Ilfracombe. ISBN: 0722317972.