Hero rescue team rush to aid struggling dog

Mick is pictured with search dogs Dave and Bob, and the rescued dog

The unassuming heroes of the Saddleworth hills rallied to a call from the North West Ambulance Service with reports of people shouting for help in the Dovestone area.  

But on investigation, Oldham Mountain Rescue Team discovered the shouts were from a group looking for a small Yorkshire Terrier/Chihuahua mix dog which had suddenly gone missing while walking along tops with its owner.

Said an OMRT spokesperson: ”The team doesn’t ordinarily get involved in searching for dogs, but as the first to respond was one of our search dog handlers, Mick Nield, and the search dog needed a walk. 

“He decided to take them up onto the edge path and join the dog's owner looking for the missing dog. 

“After speaking to the owner regarding the route they had taken, Mick decided to check the nearby pot hole.

"And on further inspection, he spotted the small dog some 20 feet down with absolutely no way of getting out without help.

“The grateful dog was quickly reunited with its owner before being walked off the hill a little shaken, but otherwise seemingly okay. Well done Mick.”

Mick, the former team leader, was awarded an MBE in Her Majesty’s New Year’s honours list in 2018 for services to mountain rescue and to the community in Greater Manchester.

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