Getting Endorsed
Although Muggins was known for his collecting abilities, the little fundraiser originally did not have permission from the City of Victoria to engage in fundraising activities. On October 11, 1916 it was reported by the Colonist that Muggins had already raised $275 for the Red Cross by the Wharves. Regardless of his good deeds, the city ruled that Muggins would have to stop his actions at once unless he could get endorsed by a patriotic society for which he intended to collect. This issue was brought to city council by Mr. B. Woodward who was interested in obtaining a permit for his son, Willie, and Muggins, so they could collect on tag days and other special fundraising events. Once the council learned that Muggins had collected $342.43 for the Red Cross, the Blue Cross and the Returning Soldiers Funds, the Woodward’s were given the go-ahead to allow Muggins to continue his charitable work on October 17, 1916, just a week after Mr. Woodward’s appeal. In addition to the patriotic societies supporting Muggins, Rev. A. deBowen also wrote to the city council highly commended the dog’s work. This was the first real hurdle for Muggins to overcome as other obstacles awaited the unsuspecting pooch.
Taken by the Poundkeeper
On April 30, 1919 Muggins created quite the uproar in downtown Victoria when he was taken by the Poundkeeper as he finished fundraising by Government Street. As Mrs. Woodward was removing Muggins’ collection boxes she noticed a strange man watching them and to her unpleasant surprise the man picked up Muggins by the neck and placed the dog in the pound wagon. When the Poundkeeper did this a growing crowd started assembling near his wagon. He was met with protest from Mrs. Woodward and rest of the crowd when they tried to explain to the Poundkeeper who Muggins was. The Poundkeeper explained that he never heard of the dog before and continued to ignore the protesters. Watching from his office in the Belmont House, Captain George McGregor attempted to come to the dog’s rescue by paying for the charges himself, which was allowed by law at the time. Despite this, the Poundkeeper was determined not to let the dog go. Obviously shocked at what had happened, Mrs. Woodward drove to the Red Cross to get help. Robert John Porter, Victoria’s Mayor at the time, was notified of the situation and told the protesters and the Poundkeeper that if the charges were paid then the Poundkeeper would have to give the dog back, yet the Poundkeeper still did not change his mind. Eventually, as the situation began to get more hostile with former soldiers joining the mob, the Poundkeeper was told by two police officers to use a little sense and let the dog go. He agreed to free the dog but insisted that he would only do so if Mrs. Woodward claimed him. As a result of this dispute, no money was ever given to the Poundkeeper. The Colonist later reported that Muggins had been arrested by the Poundkeeper because the dog had not been on a leash, as required by law. J. A. Shanks later wrote a column in the Colonist regarding this incident, pointing out the dog’s popularity at home and abroad, and argued that the law to keep a dog on a leash was wrong, especially for the local hero. As displayed by this event, Muggins was considered to be literally untouchable and this can be attributed to his popularity among the people. If anything bad should ever happen to him again, it can be assumed that the citizens of Victoria would again stand up for their lovable companion.
References
“Muggins Not Endorsed Yet.” The Daily Colonist (Victoria). 11 October 1916. http://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist58y261uvic#page/n5/mode/1up.
“Muggins Sanctioned.” The Daily Colonist (Victoria). 17 October 1916. http://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist58y266uvic#page/n5/mode/1up.
“Muggins Taken By Poundkeeper.” The Daily Colonist (Victoria). 1 May 1919. http://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist61y117uvic#page/n6/mode/1up/search/muggins+red+cross.
Shanks, J. A. “The Life of a Dog.” The Daily Colonist (Victoria), 4 May 1919. http://archive.org/stream/dailycolonist61y120uvic#page/n13/mode/1up/search/muggins+red+cross.