Red Dog (Pilbara)

Red Dog was a kelpie/cattle dog cross known for his travels throughout Western Australia's Pilbara region between 1971 and 1979. Originally named Tally Ho, he gained notoriety as a friendly and independent wanderer, becoming a symbol of the area's spirit and a beloved companion to many working in the mining and pastoral industries.

While no single owner claimed him, Red Dog was embraced by the community and frequently travelled between towns and work sites via trucks, cars, trains, and even ships. He was known to hitch rides and often appeared at social gatherings and workplaces, providing companionship to isolated workers.

Red Dog's travels took him to places like Dampier, Karratha, Roebourne, and Port Hedland, and he became a well-known and respected figure. He was even made a member of the Dampier Sub-Branch of the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) and the Transport Workers' Union.

His death in 1979, attributed to strychnine poisoning, was widely mourned. A statue was erected in his memory in Dampier, Western Australia, and his story has been immortalized in books and a popular Australian film, "Red Dog" (2011). Red Dog remains a cultural icon in the Pilbara, representing loyalty, independence, and the close-knit community spirit of the region.