Glasgow honours first Scottish “Fire dog” with statue
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In Glasgow, Scotland, a statue was unveiled on Tuesday honouring Wallace, a setter-collie recognised as the country’s first “fire dog.”
Wallace became associated with the city’s firemen in 1894 after following a horse-drawn engine during a demonstration. He routinely ran ahead of the fire appliances to emergencies, then guarded the horses while the crew worked.
The firemen valued Wallace so much they paid to have him embalmed after he died in 1902, and he was put on display at various fire service locations. Jean Dallas, a woman from Possilpark, spearheaded a campaign to erect a statue in his honour, raising funds through activities like making tablet and selling arts and crafts, and even while on holiday.
Prisoners at HM Prison Barlinnie sculpted the statue, which now stands at Glasgow Central railway station after Network Rail supported the project. The unveiling ceremony included a bagpipe performance of “I Belong To Glasgow.” City of Glasgow Group Commander Craig Campbell stated Wallace is “a local and fire service legend,” and the statue serves as a tribute to his life and the fire service’s history with the city.
