In 1973, thieves stole hundreds of dollars worth of goods from a Suva club after getting a doberman pinscher watchdog to keep quiet by patting it on the head.
According to an article published by The Fiji Times on June 1 that year, the dog, Caesar, and the watchman, Ram Lal, were patrolling the main hall of the United Club on Williamson Road after closing time when three men forced their way into the building.
The men seized Mr Lal after dealing with the dog and bound him to a chair.
The thieves then broke into a storeroom and helped themselves to hundreds of dollars worth of liquor and cigarettes.
A policeman patrolling the area in the early hours of the morning saw cartons of beer on Williamson Road, according to a senior police officer.
While investigating the club, he saw Mr Lal tied to the chair, and after freeing him, he telephoned police headquarters from a neighbouring house because the thieves had disconnected the club’s telephone.
Mr Lal told club officials he and Caesar heard a loud noise from the club’s back door.
“It sounded as if someone was trying to kick the door in.
“We went to the door to investigate and saw three men standing outside.”
He opened the gate to question them, but they rushed in before he could get to the telephone.
Caesar barked but the men called him and patted him on the head, and he licked them before they raided the storeroom.
A club official said it was the fourth time the club had been burgled.
The article concluded with three men being questioned.
