Hero hound in running to become UK top dog

ECHO the labrador with his handler fire-fighter Mike Dewar

AN HEROic dog from Oldham that helped save lives in the Haiti earthquake is one of five finalists competing for the title of Britain’s best dog.

Echo, the seven-year-old rescue labrador based at Chadderton fire station, is a member of the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service. He flew out to the stricken Caribbean nation last January with members of a nine-strong international search and rescue team after the 7.0-magnitude earthquake left hundreds of thousands of people dead and injured.

Despite collapsing due to the searing heat and needing to be put on a drip, Echo helped team members locate people trapped under the rubble, including three-year-old Mia Charlet, who was pulled out alive. Now the hard-working pooch has been named as one the finalists in the Kennel Club’s Friends for Life 2011 competition.

All the finalists were selected for their outstanding bravery and absolute devotion to their owners.

Echo’s handler firefighter Mike Dewar, from Kearsley, Bolton, said: “There are a lot of dogs nominated as finalists that do great work, it’s just an honour for Echo to be nominated.

“He’s totally unaware of his actions, he just does a good job.”

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club spokesperson, said: “Echo’s story is a truly inspiring one and he thoroughly deserves to be shortlisted for this award.”

The winner is voted by the public with the dog that the public feel has the most deserving tale presented with a trophy during a special ceremony in the main arena at Crufts on March 13.

For more details visit www.crufts.org.uk