Becerrillo

Becerrillo or Bezerrillo (meaning "Little Bull Calf") was the name of a Castilian attack dog during the time of the Spanish conquistadors.

Becirrillo's date and place of birth are unknown although historians speculate he may have been whelped in either the kennels of Diego Columbus or those of Juan Ponce de León. A black eyed, medium sized dog with a red coloured coat, it is recorded that he was in Puerto Rico in 1511 already sporting battle scars. Historical records indicate he may have been a greyhound or a cross between a greyhound and a mastiff although this is unlikely due to his power and strength; historians have also suggested he may have been an alaunt.

The dog was owned by Ponce de León but when he was busy with his duties as governor of Puerto Rico, Becerrillo was often entrusted to the care of Captain Diego de Salazar, a man known for his ruthless tactics. He would use Becerrillo to attack natives who defied the conquistadors, attempting to terrorize them into accepting the rule of the Spanish invaders. Becerrillo was especially well known due to the sheer number of victims that he mauled and killed. While Ponce de León was on the island San Juan in 1509, it was common to use attack dogs to subjugate the Indian natives.

During one specific battle in which the natives launched a surprise attack against the village where the Spanish troops led by Salazar were encamped, Becerrillo alerted the conquistadors by barking until they awoke. Salazar entered the battle with the dog at his side. During the course of the half-hour-long battle, Becerrillo alone killed thirty-three of the native attackers. The reputation of the killer dog spread; he became more feared than the men who he fought alongside. The dog was accomplished at finding and instilling fear in the Indians and able to do the work of fifty soldiers; he was fed the same rations as the men and paid a wage.

Another story finds the Spanish conquistadors outside the capitol of Caparra, where a group of Indians had been captured and subdued. While waiting for Ponce de León to arrive from the capitol, the troops amused themselves by harassing the captives. Salazar gave an old Indian woman a folded piece of paper and informed her that it was a letter that was to be carried to the governor- if she refused, she would be fed to the dogs. The frightened woman accepted in the hopes of surviving, but after she turned and began down the road Salazar released Becerrillo and commanded him to take her. As she was charged by the dog, the old woman dropped to her knees and prayed "Please, my Lord Dog. I am on my way to take this letter to Christians. I beg you, my Lord Dog, please do not hurt me." According to witnesses, Becerrillo stopped short and regarded the woman intently. He sniffed at the woman and the paper in her hands, before turning away, lifting a leg, and marking her with urine. He stood by as the woman returned unharmed to the Spanish troops. Upon his arrival, Ponce de León was informed of what had occurred. He commanded the troops, "Free her and send her safely back to her people. Then let us leave this place for now. I will not permit the compassion and forgiveness of a dog to outshine that of a true Christian."

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Wikipedia