Dead from the bullets of an unknown assassin in Norco is Pete, one of the most famous dogs in the world. Owned by J. M. Robertson of 550 Fourth Street, Norco, Pete is known to everyone as the white bulldog with the black eye in the Hal Roach "Our Gang" comedies.
Mrs. Robertson said that Pete had never been a vicious dog and that their little boy, Montie, 5, had learned to walk by hanging on to "Pete". The pet was "just like a member of the family" and the Robertsons feel keenly over his having been killed.
Pete's buckshot riddled body was found a few feet from the Robertson home, a trail of blood behind him indicating that he was trying to return home. Apparently he had been fired on at close range.
The dog was given to Mrs. Robertson's father, E. R. Lloyd, 550 East Fourth Street, by Hal Roach studios where Lloyd worked 14 years. He gave the dog to his daughter's family because the children liked him so well.
Corona Daily Independent April 8, 1946
Imagine that. A well trained pit bulldog, passed from one owner to another, described as a valued family member, complete with heart warming tales of how wonderful he was with kids AND one of the owners makes a point to say that he has never been vicious (the lady doth protest too much!), is found dead of lead poisoning. The body was found off of its property and heading for home with a trail of blood (leading to dead sheep?).
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
2 comments:
Yep, it's the same story today. If you love and value your pet so much, keep it at home. Otherwise keep your yapper shut when it doesn't come home. It's so simple you'd think pet owners would have it figured out by now...
Doesn't seem that Norco has changed much either. I's the cesspool of Riverside county.
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