Red Dog (Pilbara)

Red Dog Statue, front view.

The Pilbara Wanderer notice.

Red Dog (c. 1971 – 21 November 1979) was a Kelpie/cattle dog cross that was well known for his travels through Western Australia's Pilbara region. There is a statue in his memory in Dampier, which is one of the towns to which he often returned. He is frequently referred to as a "Red Kelpie" or a "Red Cloud Kelpie".

Red Dog is believed to have been born in the town of Paraburdoo in 1971 and had a variety of names to those who knew him, including: Bluey, Tally Ho, and Dog of the Northwest. Tally Ho was his first name, given to him by a man called Col Cummings, who is believed to have been his first owner and the one who brought him to Dampier. The nickname "Red Dog" has been attributed to the red dirt of the Pilbara Region (although "red dog" is a common nickname for red kelpies and heelers much in the same way as "blue dog" is a common nickname for Australian Cattle Dogs). His second owner was John Stazzonelli, a bus/truck driver with Hamersley Iron, whose work allowed Red to travel as far as Perth, Broome, Roebourne, Point Samson and Port Hedland.

Following Stazzonelli's death in 1975, Red spent a lot of time travelling on his own, although he was taken in by many members of the community and a veterinarian who treated him. Red was made a member of the Dampier Salts Sport and Social Club and the Transport Union. He was also given a bank account with the Bank of New South Wales, which is said to have used him as a mascot and sales tool with the slogan "If Red banks at the Wales, then you can too." Although he had many friends, it is believed that his death in 1979 was caused by deliberate strychnine poisoning. Red is buried in an unmarked grave somewhere between Dampier and Karratha.

Soon after Red's death, Australian author Nancy Gillespie wrote and compiled anecdotes and poetry written by several people of the Pilbara region for her book Red Dog as did Beverly Duckett in her 1993 book Red Dog: the Pilbara Wanderer.

Red Dog's story and statue have caught the attention of a number of people passing through Dampier including British author Louis de Bernières, who was inspired to write a book loosely based on Red's legend called Red Dog. A Four-wheel drive club has been named in his honour.

A critically acclaimed feature film about Red, based on de Bernières' novel, has been made in Australia and was released in cinemas 4 August 2011. Based on a screenplay by Daniel Taplitz, it is directed by Kriv Stenders and the title role is played by Koko.

The first, rather unfortunate, name Red Dog was known by was "Tally Ho", but this could have been an omen of Red's life to come. "Tally Ho", as well as being a hunting cry to rouse the hounds, also means a type of Coach (a vehicle) which in some ways relates well to a dog that became a wandering hitch-hiker. Car, bus, train... Red Dog would hitch a ride in just about anything if he thought he'd get one. Once Red Dog had ridden in one vehicle, he would recognise it again in future, and expect you to give him a ride since you had done before.

The nickname 'Red Dog' has been attributed to the red dirt and iron ore of the Pilbara Region as well as the colour of Red's fur. Red had two 'official' owners. The first disowned Red Dog, then known as Tally Ho, through embarassment at the reputation Red had created for himself. Red was not technically a 'good dog', but he was a true character and HAD a lot of character, and was a good dog at heart. He was cheeky and bold, and this, along with his ability to charm the people he met, endeared him to many. He was known to be very fond of other peoples' food, turning up at barbeques and gatherings, and would snag a steak or whatever was on offer off the side of a plate if someone didn't give him something when asked. He fought at times with cats and dogs, was very able to take care of himself along with receiving help from the friends he made which included 'free' treament from anyone who brought him to the Vet's. Though after a while, Red was able to pay for his own treatment via his bank account, with the money his many friends paid into it. Red would get away with behaviour considered unacceptable in most dogs, right down to going into churches during a sermon and tinkling on the pews. A very cheeky, but very, very special, and lovable dog.

Red's second owner, John, was a bus driver, whose work allowed Red Dog to travel by bus around Dampier, Karratha and surrounding districts thereby becoming very well known by the locals. The fact that both of Red's official owners were travellers may well be one reason why Red made it his life to travel, after John died tragically in a terrible accident. It is said that Red Dog stayed watching the road that he last saw John ride away down on his motorbike for days, until he finally realised he would have to go and look for John himself, as he did not know the man he saw as family had died.

Though Red Dog was claimed to be 'owned' in 'common' by many people so he could not be called a stray, and though he had many friends, Red Dog's life was by no means sheltered. Red was shot more than once in his life, and his life was ended when an unknown person poisoned Red in such a way that brought on seizures, caused irrepairable brain-damage, and lead to Red sadly having to be put to sleep to end his suffering when he became clear that he would never recover. It was the worst end possible to a trusting dog known and loved by nearly everyone he knew.

Many stories are told by people who met or knew Red Dog personally. Not all of these stories can be true, but some are similar and some are different. But the sheer volume of stories claimed to be true by the people who knew, or knew of, and loved Red Dog just goes to show how much Red meant, and still means, to the people of Western Australia. After the release of the movie "Red Dog", his story has found millions of people throughout the world.

Many people argue whether Red Dog did or didn't have an owner, and many people claim to have owned Red Dog at one time or another, while others believe the truth is that Red Dog actually owned a lot of people. He certainly had a lot of friends who will never forget him, and through those friends his story has touched the hearts of millions all over the world.

But there is one thing that can't be argued with...

Red Dog is a true legend... and he deserves to be.

More information, stories, pictures and anecdotes about the real-life Red Dog can be found in, among other places, Nancy Gillespie's book, and at the Red Dog Western Australia website, www.reddogwa.com, which includes newspaper cuttings and photographs of Red Dog.