Swansea Jack
{{short description|Welsh dog known for rescuing humans}}
{{More citations needed|date=July 2019}}
{{Infobox animal
| name = Swansea Jack
| image = Swansea Jack memorial.jpg
| image_size = 220px
| caption = Swansea Jack memorial
| birth_name = Jack
| othername =
| species = Dog
| breed = Retriever, locally called a "Newfoundland dog"
| gender = Male
| birth_date = 1930
| birth_place = Possibly Newfoundland, Canada
| death_date = 2 October 1937 (Aged 7)
| death_place = Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
| resting_place = The Promenade, opposite St Helen's Rugby Ground
| resting_place_coordinates = 51° 38' 0" North, 3° 58' 0" West
| relativeage =
| nationality = United Kingdom
| occupation = Lifeguard
| employer = North Dock
| role =
| years_active = 1931-1937
| known = Rescuing 27 people
| awards = Lord Mayor of London: Silver Cup; National Canine Defence League: bronze medal (twice); Publicly funded burial monument: Marble and Bronze; more (see text).
| title = Named "Dog of the Century" by National Canine Defence League
| term =
| predecessor =
| successor =
| owner = William Thomas
| parents =
| children =
| weight =
| height =
| appearance = Black retriever-type, longish hair, similar to a Flat-Coated Retriever
| namedafter =
| website =
}}
Swansea Jack (1930 – October 1937) was a British dog who rescued 27 people from the docks and riverbanks of Swansea, Wales.{{Cite web |url=http://www.walesonline.com/info/jack.shtml |title=Wales Online: Swansea Jack |access-date=2007-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510213124/http://www.walesonline.com/info/jack.shtml |archive-date=2008-05-10 |url-status=dead }}
Life
{{Original research section|date=July 2019}}
Swansea Jack was a black retriever with a longish coat. He was similar in appearance to a modern Flat-Coated Retriever,{{cite web |url=http://www.swanseacity.net/javaImages/82/d1/0,,10354~3330434,00.jpg |title=(untitled image) |website=Swansea City |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100710170653/http://www.swanseacity.net/javaImages/82/d1/0,,10354~3330434,00.jpg |archive-date=July 10, 2010 }} but was instead identified at the time as a Newfoundland dog, despite being considerably smaller and lighter in build than the typical modern Newfoundland dog, possibly because he was reported to have been born in Newfoundland.{{cite web|url=http://eamazings.com/index.php/eamazings/10-most-fascinating-dogs-30102009.html |title=10 Most Fascinating Dogs |publisher=Eamazings.com |date=2009-10-30 |accessdate=2011-06-17}} Originally owned by Taulford Davies,{{cite news |last1=Hembery |first1=Sandra |title=The amazing tale of hero dog Swansea Jack who saved 27 lives...but met a gruesome end |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/amazing-tale-hero-dog-swansea-15954212 |access-date=2 October 2024 |publisher=Wales Online |date=12 March 2019}} he was rehomed by a new owner, William Thomas, where he then lived in the North Dock/River Tawe area of Swansea. Jack would always respond to cries for help from the water, diving into the water and pulling whoever was in difficulty to safety at the dockside.{{Cite web|last=Woodward|first=Hamish|date=2021-06-10|title=Who Was Swansea Jack? The Heroic Dog from Swansea|url=https://atletifo.com/football/swansea-jack/|access-date=2021-10-13|website=Atletifo Sports|language=en-GB}}
His first rescue, in June 1931, when he saved a 12-year-old boy, went unreported. A few weeks later, this time in front of a crowd, Jack rescued a swimmer from the docks. His photograph appeared in the local paper and the local council awarded him a silver collar. In 1936 he had the prestigious 'Bravest Dog of the Year' award bestowed upon him by the Star newspaper in London.{{Cite web|title=History of Swansea City – Swansea City Supporters' Trust|url=https://www.swanstrust.co.uk/history-of-swansea-city/|access-date=2021-06-09|website=www.swanstrust.co.uk}}
He received a silver cup from the Lord Mayor of London and he is still the only dog to have been awarded two bronze medals by the National Canine Defence League (now known as Dogs Trust). Legend has it that in his lifetime he saved 27 people from the Docks / River Tawe.
Death and legacy
Swansea Jack died on 2 October 1937 after eating rat poison; it is not known whether this was accidental or intentional. His death was reported by the press across the UK and the press claimed he had saved 29 lives (for example, Nottingham Journal 5 October 1937).{{cite news|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001898/19371005/004/0001|title=Dog Which Saved 29 Persons from Drowning|date=5 October 1937|work=Nottingham Journal|page=1|access-date=20 June 2021}}
His burial monument, paid for by public subscription, is located on the Promenade in Swansea near St Helen's Rugby Ground. In 2000, Swansea Jack was named 'Dog of the Century' by NewFound Friends of Bristol who train domestic dogs in aquatic rescue techniques.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{cite web|ref={{harvid|THG|2012}}|title=Swansea Jack|url=http://treboethhistorygroup.com/animals/swansea-jack.html|author=Treboeth history group|publisher=Sam Pritchard|year=2012}}{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}