Ferocious Wild Dogs

From the Cincinnati Enquirer: Holbrook, Ariz., Special. - John Bargeman, Under Sheriff of Navajo county, has returned to Holbrook from an extended trip through the mountains along the border of Arizona and New Mexico bringing a tale that wild dogs are creating havoc in that región among cattle and sneep. The dogs have been kuown for only three years, flrst making their appearance in a small band in American Valley, in western New Mexico. They have increased wonderfully, and are now found over a broart stretch of country, despite the efforts of the cattlemen to extermínate them. The dogs average about 100 pounds' weight. They have the head and snoulders of a bulldog, but the build of a timber wolf and wolflsh . tics. In color they are ashy gray, with long black hairs interspersed. Like coyotes, they are little afraid of man, and will follow horsemen for miles through the timber, not hesitating to attack footmen. They occasionally visit ranches, and many instances are known where domestic dogs have joined the bands. The dogs secure their food by killing sheep and calves, and even full-grown cattle are known to have been pulled down by them. Colts are their especial game. Thomas Alger, a resident of Nutrioso, is responsible for the statement that animáis bitten by the wild dogs, if not killed by them on the spot, die within a few dajs with all the symptoms of strychnine poisoning. He cites an instance where he was able to verify the local impression to that effect. His house dog was set upon by several wild dogs. Algor drove them away, and the dog appeared little the worse for his battle. Yet the animal died in two days with all the signs of strychnine poisoning. The timber dogs are continually getting fiercer and bolder, and the residents of eastern Apache county are organizing to hunt them down.