St. Bernards rescued by Swiss philanthropists
GENEVA - A kennel of trustworthy and benevolent St. Bernard dogs can continue working at their mountain monastery thanks to a $4 million philanthropic gesture from a Swiss group.
Two months ago, the Monks of the Congregation of Canons of the Great Saint Bernard, which has housed this breed of dog since the mid 17th century, said keeping the kennel had become too costly.
That announcement convinced two organizations – the Barry of the Great Saint Bernard Foundation and the Bernard de Watteville – to come to the rescue of a breed of dog that is credited with rescuing 2,000 lost travelers over the past 200 years.
The breed has been known to detect avalanches moments before they occur. Their Alpine rescue missions are now largely performed with the aid of helicopters and heat sensors.
The money will go towards purchasing 20 dogs from the monks with the promise that the kennel will be allowed to roam the Grand Saint Bernard Pass in the summer months.
In winter, the dogs will be housed in a kennel in Martigny, a city close to the pass. The pass is located 2,400 metres above sea level.
Geneva private banker Bernard de Watteville and his wife, Caroline have agreed to donate $3.5 million and build a museum in Martigny where visitors can view – but not touch – the dogs, said Rudolf Thomann, president of the Swiss Saint Bernard Club.
The museum is slated to open spring 2006.
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