The Great (Dog) Escape
We’ve all seen The Great Escape (and if not, why not?) where British POWs escape from a Nazi prison camp during World War II. The sight of Steve McQueen on that motorbike eluding the Germans is enough to send shivers up the spine of any viewer on a bank holiday weekend.
However, an Australian man recently re-enacted the Great Escape when he busted his dog out of doggie prison, and fled with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross, going on the run.
The dog, named Max, was on death row at the time after being ordered destroyed for mauling a neighbour’s dog, but his owner, Ronnie Gilbertson (a former champion boxer) couldn’t bear to think of his dog being put down. During a visit where he was expected to say his goodbyes to the dog, Ronnie helped the dog escape and went on the run – leaving his family behind!
Ronnie was captured some time later, and has since been imprisoned for contempt of court. The dog, Max, has been put to sleep.
Joana Fuller, Ronnie’s defence lawyer, told the Australian court:
“He could not bear the thought of returning Max to custody.”
“His actions were motivated out of a concern for his dog and only a concern for his dog’s welfare and nothing else. His love of his dog clouded his decision-making and judgment.”
