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Red Dog (1971- November 20, 1979) was a Kelpie/Cattle dog cross which was
well-known for his travels through Western Australia's
Pilbara region. There is a statue in his memory in
Dampier, Western Australia, which is one of the towns to which he often returned. He is frequently referred to as a "Red Kelpie" . Red Dog is believed to have been born in the town of Paraburdoo, Western Australia 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 Colonel 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. His second owner was
John Stazzonelli, a truck
driver with Hamersley Iron, whose work allowed Red to travel as far as
Perth,
Broome, Roebourne,
Point Samson and
Port Hedland. Following
John's death in 1975, Red spent a lot of time traveling 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 Wales Bank, 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.
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 about him, and Australian Author Nancy Gillespie, who also wrote about Red.
A feature film about Red, based on de Bernières' novel, scheduled to be made in Australia, began either in October, 2009 or in the first half of this year in Western Australia's
Pilbara region. Based on a screenplay by Daniel Taplitz it will be directed by Kriv Stenders, and the title role played by Koko, who is already undergoing
training for the role. One source says that four different red Kelpies have been trained to play the title role. Release is scheduled for 2010.
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