Death of a rescue hero

Mick Nield pictured with Bob. Image courtesy of Ken Bennett

A touching tribute has been paid to a legendary rescue dog by his owner.

Bob, a border collie and a retired search rescue dog with Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, has died and Mick Nield, his owner and former OMRT leader, posted: "It’s with a heavy heart I have to inform you Bob hung his lead up for the last time this morning (not that he ever used it) a month and half short of his 16th birthday.

“I’d like to thank you all for the support you’ve given us through the last 16 years, the dedication of the bodies that help train myself and Bob, the handlers who helped when needed in training, and to those that give us the moral or physical support over the years. 

“Without all this help we wouldn’t have made the dog team we did," he declared.

“Bob started his career in mountain rescue in 2008 and graded as a qualified search dog in January 2011 before retiring in 2022," added Mick.

“In his working career he had four operational finds - one of which was definitely a life-saver. 

"It’s been one of the hardest things I have ever undertaken, but definitely one of the most rewarding finishing today with the most difficult thing I have ever done… Thank you one and all."

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