Pickles (dog)
| Pickles | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Species | dog |
| Breed | mixed breed Collie |
| Sex | male |
| Died | 1967 |
| Known for | finding the missing Jules Rimet Trophy |
| Owner | David Corbett |
| National Canine Defense League (silver medal) | |
Pickles (died 1967) was a black and white Collie dog renowned for his role in finding the stolen Jules Rimet Trophy in 1966.
[edit] Overview
The trophy had been stolen during a rare public stamp exhibition at Westminster Central Hall, on the afternoon of Sunday 20 March, just four months before the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England was scheduled to kick-off. The thief ignored rare stamps with a value of £3 million to steal the trophy which was worth far less. Police received a £15,000 ransom demand. However, when they arrested the culprit, he turned out to be a hoaxer. The trophy was found just seven days later wrapped in newspaper at the bottom of a suburban garden hedge in Beulah Hill, South Norwood, South London, by Pickles while taking a walk with his owner David Corbett.[1] When England won the trophy, as a reward, Pickles was invited to the celebration banquet and was allowed to lick his owner's bowl. His owner collected a £6,000 reward (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £169,000 in 2009).[2] The thief was never caught.[3] Suspicion of involvement was attached briefly to Pickles and his owner.[4]
Pickles starred with Eric Sykes and June Whitfield in the 1966 film The Spy With the Cold Nose.[5]
Pickles died in 1967 when he choked on his lead while chasing a cat.[5] He was buried in his owner's back garden.[6] An entirely fictional version of the story was told in a 2006 ITV drama written by Michael Chaplin, called Pickles: The Dog Who Won The World Cup. He was voiced by Harry Enfield.[7]
[edit] References
- ^ Reid, Alastair (1966-09-10). "The World Cup". The New Yorker: p. 3. http://www.newyorker.com/archive/1966/09/10/1966_09_10_152_TNY_CARDS_000286584?currentPage=3. Retrieved 2007-02-02.
- ^ "Measuring Worth - Relative Value of UK Pounds". Measuring Worth. 2003-04-23. http://www.measuringworth.com/ukcompare/. Retrieved 2011-01-01.
- ^ The Sunday Times Illustrated History Of Football Reed International Books Limited. 1996. p.133 ISBN 1-856-13341-9
- ^ "The Canine Sherlock Holmes". The world's strangest mysteries. New York: Gallery Books. 1987. p. 545. ISBN 0-8317-9678-2.
- ^ a b Fleckney, Paul (2006-06-10). "How Pickles the dog dug up the accursed World Cup". This Is Local London. http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/topstories/790191.how_pickles_the_dog_dug_up_the_accursed_world_cup/. Retrieved 2007-02-02.
- ^ Tribute to Pickles, Lost & Fond
- ^ Pickles: The Dog Who Won the World Cup (2006) (TV), IMDB
