The Plague Dogs Page #6

No they can't. They've been too clever this time.

As long as this stuff goes on falling, it blots out the marks we make.

There have been new developments in the plague dogs over the Lake District.

Here, from the scene, is our reporter, Lynn Driver.

We have with us Geoffrey Westcott...

...who was attacked by the dogs, which have been terrifying Lakeland for the past four weeks.

Mr. Westcott, can you tell us exactly what happened?

I'd just got out of the car, for a minute, about five miles north of Dunmail Raise...

...when all of the sudden, I saw these dogs.

Mad dogs, and that's what they were.

There were two of them, both wild and ferocious as wolves.

I don't know if plague sends its victims mad, but I wouldn't be surprised.

And did these dogs attack you?

Well, not me exactly. But my car.

They took everything edible.

I happened to have my pocket camera with me, so I was able to get some photos.

These are the photos Mr. Westcott took.

You can just make out the numbers on the collars.

With the help of these photos, we've been able to verify...

...that these are indeed the dogs accused of killing sheep and other livestock in the Lake District.

But are these the dogs form Lawson park research station...

...as these collars appear to confirm? And if so...

...what's so secret, that for nearly three weeks the authorities there denied these animals escaped?

This is Lynn Driver, reporting from the Lake District.

What art doing here?

We've nowhere to go.

How does tha mean?

You've not been bidin' on fell all night?

Where've all the sheep gone? - Sheep?

You don't leave sheep on fell once it starts to snow.

All the sheep were brought down yesterday...

...an' damn cold work it were an' all. - Wag, come by here!

Yo, Wag!

I've never seen anything like it, since there were that dog reckoned sick with rabies. - Rabies?

What's that? - You don't know?

It's a sickness. Kills dogs.

I'll bet the gaffer thinks you's got it, or else he'd not have run.

But... you're not afraid of us.

Nay. I'd know right enough if thou had sickness.

You're thin, the both o' ya. - Hey Wag!

Do I know thee? - Hey Wag!

Wag, Wag, Wag ,Wag! Hey Wag!

He didn't recognize us.

What are we going to eat, Rowf...

...if there aren't any sheep?

Have you ever though, Rowf...

...that we won't need food when we're dead?

Or names, for that matter.

Cold.

Wonder who the buzzards will like best?

You or me?

I hope you make sure we're properly dead before you start, old rip-beak!

I'd rather die here that in the white-coats' tank.

It's little enough dignity we've got left.

Damn foolish, going out in weather like this.

He should've known better.

Even the best could get cought out up here.

There are some tracks down below, what're they?

It looks like two sets of animal tracks...

...and footprints.

I'll follow them.

What's that up ahead? By the base of Dow Crag?

Can you get closer?

Oh... my God, look at that!

I'm glad you're back, Tod. - Well, I never really went away, laddie.

Just sort of lagged a bit behind ye. - Todd...

...what I said before, I'm sorry. It was... - No need to be sorry about anythin'.

But if it wasn't for you, I'd be dead now.

We're certainly not denying that two dogs got out.

We said as much in an early press release, but...

...what happened to them after that, I'm afraid I can't tell you.

You'll forgive me doctor Boycott , if I can't help feeling that that's just a shade lacking in... well...

...frankness.

Now, when we say something here, it's always 100% reliable.

But, for all practical purposes... - Would you care to amplify that a little?

No, I don't think I would.

It's really a matter between the local hill authority and the responsible government.

If they're not bothered... - Not bothered?

They're not bothered that any risk of bubonic plague exists.

Now, if you want to know more than that... Excuse me, please...

Dr. Boycott.

You were sure it was one of ours?

...a green collar?

Uhm...

...yes, I'll...

...I'll ring you back.

Yes, immediately. And...

...uh, someone will be down the station straight away.

I hope that my right honourable friend will be able to deal with this rather serious matter promptly...

...and not make it a political issue.

We have learned, not because the research station told us of their own accord...

but because the media reported it, and they could not deny it...

...that these dogs may have been infected, during their escape...

...with bubonic plague.

So, this is how we find out...

...that scientists are studying bubonic plague at Lawson park.

We do not know why they're doing this...

...but since the disease has not been a serious public health risk for many years, one must assume...

...that the work is connected in some way with defense.

Surely, such work, if necessary at all, should not be carried out in the middle of a national park.

I come finally...

...to the matter of the distressing tragedy...

...which occured two days ago.

It would be pointless for me to try to allot blame for a thing of this kind.

The point is...

...and I address this to my right honourable friend, the secretary of state of defense....

What is going to be done?

I am glad.

I am glad my right honourable and gallant colleague is not attempting to ascribe any kind of blame...

...to the Ministry of Defense.

And indeed the member for Keswic is right...

...in demanding quick and decisive action.

Accordingly, the Ministry has taken the following steps.

Two companies or the third battalion of the parachute regiment are at this moment...

...on their way to the Lake District.

Tomorrow they will begin an intensive search of the most likely areas, and they will continue...

...until the dogs are found, and destroyed.

Mr. Speaker?

Ordinary people, and that includes honourable members...

...have no idea at all of the distressing use these animals are put to.

The house must have an opportunity...

... through a parliamentary inquiry, to fully examine the conduct of experiments at Lawson park.

B-company will go three miles down the valley to Eskdale Green...

...where they'll deploy two platoon north of the river, and two south...

...maintaining lateral communications.

Search any cover, that might conceal the dogs.

Sergeant, let you dogs reign freely until they get the scent.

You do not, on any account, break the line of advance.

The C-company will deploy widely as practicable, and they'll start patrolling down the Esk.

Operational HQ will remain in radio-telephone contact, and in ground-to-air contact with the helicopters.

If the helicopters spot the dogs anywhere along the tops, they'll inform HQ...

...and further orders will be issued as appropriate.

Do you think they're looking for us? - No one else, laddies.

They're going to kill us, Rowf.

They're watching us. - If we can get across the valley, without them seein' us...

...we'll be away an' free.

Flies out of my head.

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