Pickles: The Dog Who Saved the World Cup
Let me tell you a fascinating and heartwarming story about a dog named Pickles, who became a hero by saving the World Cup.
In March 1966, the World Cup trophy was on public display at Westminster Central Hall when it was stolen during the guards’ break. The theft happened just three months before the World Cup was set to kick off in England, quickly making headlines around the world. Scotland Yard investigated but didn’t have much to go on.
The Football Association (FA) chairman received a ransom note, and the police decided it was best to negotiate. When authorities met with Edward Betchley, the man behind the note, he didn’t have the trophy. He claimed to be merely a middleman. Betchley ended up being charged with extortion and got two years in prison.
A few days later, a man named David Corbett was out walking his dog, Pickles, a Border Collie mix. Pickles sniffed out something odd in a garden shrub—wrapped tightly in newspaper, there was the stolen trophy. Corbett took it to the local police, and the story received global attention.
As a reward, Corbett received £5,000, which was five times what the England players got for winning the tournament. Pickles became an instant celebrity, named Dog of the Year, given a year’s supply of dog food, and even starred in the film “The Spy with a Cold Nose.”
After England won the World Cup by defeating West Germany in the final, Corbett and Pickles were VIP guests at the victory banquet. In a cute twist, Pickles was even allowed to lick Corbett’s dinner plate clean.
Unfortunately, the trophy was stolen again in 1983 while on display in Rio de Janeiro and hasn’t been recovered since.
Isn’t Pickles’ story just incredible? It’s a delightful reminder that heroes can come in all shapes and sizes—even four-legged ones!
