Billy Rat-baiting

billy, celebrated rat killing dog, london, circa 1823



thursday night, oct. 24, @ quarter before 8 o clock, lovers of rat-killing enjoyed feast of delight in prodigious raticide @ cockpit, westminster. place crowded. famous dog billy, of rat-killing notoriety, 26 lb. weight, wagered, twenty sovereigns, kill 1 hundred rats in twelve minutes. rats turned out loose @ once in 12-feet square, , floor whitened, rats might visible all. set-to began, , billy exerted himself utmost. @ 4 minutes , 3 quarters, hero s head covered gore, removed pit, , chaps being washed, lapped water cool throat. again entered arena, , in vain did unfortunate victims labour obtain security climbing against sides of pit, or crouching beneath hero. twos , threes caught, , mangled corpses proved valour of victor. of flying enemy, more valiant rest, endeavoured seizing quinhus flestrum of heroic dogs ears, procure respite, or sell life dearly possible; grand paw swept off buzzers, , consigned them fate. @ 7 minutes , quarter, or according watch, there 2 umpires , 2 watches, @ 7 minutes , seventeen seconds, victor relinquished glorious pursuit, foes lay slaughtered on ensanguined plain. billy caressed , fondled many; dog estimated amateurs dextrous animal; is, unfortunately, french monsieurs call borg-ne, is, blind of eye.-this precious organ lost him time since intrepidity of inimical rat, had not seized in proper place, turned round on murderer, , reprived him 1 bite of privilege of seeing 2 eyes in future. dog billy, of rat-killing notoriety, on evening of 13th instant, again exhibited surprising dexterity; wagered kill 1 hundred rats within twelve minutes; 6 minutes , twenty 5 seconds elapsed, when every rat lay stretched on gory plain, without least symptom of life appearing. billy decorated silver collar, , number of ribband bows, , led off amidst applauses of persons assembled.

billy s best competition results follows:

paris dog show – mirrored walls

billy s career crowned on 22 april 1823, when world record set hundred rats killed in five-and-a-half minutes. record stood until 1862 when claimed ratter named jacko . billy continued in rat pit until old age reportedly 1 eye , 2 teeth remaining.