Hero Echo still has nose for lead role
Reporter: by RICHARD HOOTON
Date published: 27 July 2010
Photo: Picture: VINCENT BROWN
HEROIC rescue dog Echo has been reunited with his delighted handler Mike Dewar after six months in quarantine following his mission to help victims of the Haiti earthquake. And it’s straight back to work saving lives in Greater Manchester for the Chadderton-based hound who delighted his adoring public at Oldham Fire Station yesterday.
Life-saving labrador back in the old routine
RESCUE dog Echo has gone straight back to work saving lives after being released from quarantine following his Haiti mission.
The intrepid labrador, based in Chadderton, was part of the Greater Manchester search and rescue team who were hailed heroes in January when they flew to the aid of victims of the Haitian earthquake.
But six-year-old Echo had to go into quarantine on their return. Handler Mike Dewar is delighted to have his specialist search and rescue dog back after the six-month hiatus.
Mr Dewar said: “He’s been great. He’s been well looked after and looks better than he ever has. It’s fantastic to have him back. We knew that taking him to Haiti would mean quarantine but if you compare that with the good he could do out there it was worth it.
“We gave him an assessment when he came out of quarantine to make sure he’s firing on all cylinders and he’s back to work now assisting firefighters by searching for people in collapsed structures. He’s on stand-by waiting for a call.
“He’s vital, especially from a search and rescue point of view. If someone is trapped and can’t shout for help the only thing that can help is a canine.”
When a building collapses, or in the case of Haiti whole streets of properties, Echo scans the area and uses his nose to find trapped people, and indicate where they are, with every minute crucial to saving lives.
Echo was the centre of attention again yesterday but took it all in his stride as he met the media and children.
The youngsters, including Greenacres Youth Inclusion Project, were being shown around Oldham Fire Station.
Arson detection dog Cracker was also on hand to meet children.
Mr Dewar added: “Of all the dogs I have, Echo is the one children love. He’s the biggest character in the team.”
Eleven firefighters from Greater Manchester made up a 64-strong team from across the UK who responded to the international call for assistance from the devastated Caribbean Island.
They included operations manager Peter Stevenson, from Royton, and rescue technician Martin Foran, based in Chadderton.
Rescues included saving two-year-old Mia (pictured), whose image was beamed around the world after being pulled from the rubble of her collapsed school in the capital Port-au-Prince following five hours of digging.
