Republican Herald

Drowning caused by a Dog.—On Sunday morning week, two men, named Samuel Fletcher and William Hoyle, were bathing in the Irwell, near Hodgenlane, Salford. They had a large young dog with them, which jumped into the water, and swam to Hoyle, who was on an island in the middle of the river. The dog knew him, and he played with it some time. He then jumped into the water again, and the dog after him. It snatched at his head, put his paws upon him, and held him down. Fletcher, who had got out and was standing on the bank, endeavored to call the dog off; but, as it would not come, he went into the water to Hoyle's assistance. Hoyle then sunk, and the dog swam to Fletcher, and put his paws upon him in the same manner. Another man, named William Ullan, of Brown street, Salford, who had also got into the water to assist Hoyle, called out to Fletcher to go under the water, and at the same time got hold of the dog, and pulled him off; and Fletcher, by diving, succeeded in getting out. The dog was then secured, and Ullan then tried to find Hoyle, but could not; and half an hour elapsed before he was got out, when he was quite dead. An inquest was held on the body before Mr. Rutter, the Coroner for the county, on Tuesday week, when the above circumstances were stated: and Fletcher said the deceased was a mechanic, and the dog belonged to witness's brother, and had followed them that morning. It was a very powerful one, but not vicious.—Accidental death.—English paper.