Bobby in Danger

Due to a very hot summer, some dogs in Edinburgh developed distemper and an epidemic broke out. Dogs ran about snapping at people.

The Town Council ordered that all dogs had to be muzzled, but this was not easily done.

The license on every dog in Scotland was twelve shillings (a large sum of money in those days) and only a few people could pay this amount so it was reduced to seven shilling for the first year dropping to five shilling after that. The dogs that did not have a license were put to sleep.

One morning a policemen call at the Eating House and asked, ‘Where is your dog Mr Traill’ ‘I haven’t got one,’ was the reply. Bobby, at that time, was having his dinner at the Eating House. Mr Traill continued, pointing to Bobby, ‘His master lies in Greyfriars Kirk yard’.

Next day John Traill was summoned to appear at the Burgh Court to answer the charge of keeping a dog without a license. After much argument the case was dismissed. As Bobby had no owner it was likely he would have to be destroyed.

The Lord Provost Sir William Chambers heard of this and asked the Town Clerk, Mr MacPherson to bring Bobby along to his house. He was delighted with Bobby. He argued with the Town Council that they encourage Bobby to live in the Kirk yard so they are the owners, and as head of the Town Council the Lord Provost said, ‘I will pay his license.’ Bobby was saved.