A mountain rescue worker has praised two heroic pet dogs for helping to save their owner after he collapsed whilst out on a hike.
After their 71-year-old owner collapsed and lost consciousness, it appears that the dogs acted on instinct – with one running ahead after another hiker, barking at them to sound the alarm.
The other stayed by its owner’s side to comfort him and keep him safe as he passed out close to Keswick.
Keswick Mountain Rescue worker Rob Grange said he had never seen pet dogs raise the alarm like that before, and that usually, it takes his team years to train them to act like this.
The incident occurred over the weekend, whilst the man was walking over Braithwaite How.
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Soon after he collapsed on Saturday, rescuers reported a black labrador running after another walker.
The dog then barked at the woman, who they had recently passed, as if it was “trying to get her to return”.
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After turning around, the female hiker soon discovered the man lying on the floor with his trusty golden retriever at his side.
Image: Keswick Mountain Rescue
She swiftly called for help, which led to the man being taken to the hospital for further care and assessment by the North West Ambulance Service.
Speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria, Mr Grange said:
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It’s wonderful to see dogs doing it off their own backs and completely instinctively.
“We get the dogs to do exactly the same thing but we spend years training those natural traits to make sure they do it completely reliably.
“It’s not an unusual thing for a dog to do, but it’s just the fact a completely untrained dog decided to do this that is absolutely wonderful.
“I’ve not come across it in 10 years of mountain rescue.”
Volunteers from Keswick Mountain Rescue were on hand at the scene alongside paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service.
Feature image – Keswick Mountain Rescue
News
Police appeal after Rochdale woman, 75, was burgled by man in clown outfit on Halloween
Emily Sergeant
An appeal for information has been made following reports of a burglary in Rochdale last week on Halloween.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) explained that at around 7:10pm on Halloween (Friday 31 October), a woman on Birch Road in Rochdale answered the door to a man – who is believed to have been dressed in a clown outfit – and he proceeded to ask for a drink before following the woman into her address and stealing several items, then running away.
He took a red purse with the woman’s mother’s wedding ring inside of it – which is said to be of ‘extremely’ sentimental value.
Police say the man may have discarded the ring once he left the victim’s address, but he did use one of her stolen cards at a shop later that evening.
Birch Road in Rochdale, where the shocking incident happened / Credit: Google Maps
Thankfully, the woman – aged 75 – was left unhurt, but she has been left shocked and upset by the incident.
“This was a shocking incident, which has left a woman feeling unsafe in her own home,” commented Detective Sergeant Ruth Thompson, from GMP’s Rochdale district.
“She has spent many years helping the homeless and working for local charities, so it is particularly grim that someone would exploit her goodwill.”
#APPEAL | Officers are appealing for information following reports of a burglary in Rochdale on Friday (31 October).
At around 7.10pm that evening on Birch Road, a 75-year-old woman answered the door to a man, who then entered her home.
Investigating officers have now released an image of a man they would like to speak to, alongside the wider public appeal for information, as it’s believed it could help with their enquiries.
DS Thompson added: “While I appreciate the image quality isn’t the greatest, I hope that someone may recognise the costume and it jogs their memory.”
Anyone with any information is urged to contact police via 101 or using the Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 3012 of 31/10/25.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – GMP
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Greater Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas
Emily Sergeant
Dozens of local restaurants will be adding an extra £1 onto every bill over the festive season to help fight street homelessness.
People in Greater Manchester are once again able to give back while they dine at some of the best restaurants the region has to offer in the run up to Christmas, as the successful StreetSmart fundraising initiative is back for another year.
This year, 26 fantastic restaurants have come together to support local homeless charities as the campaign launched this past Saturday (1 November).
Manchester independents such as Mana, Erst, Climat, 10 Tib Lane, Ezra & Gill, Tartuffe, and Blue Eyed Panda are among those taking part in the campaign this year, alongside several city centre chain restaurants such as Lina Stores, Tampopo, Banyan, Manahatta, and San Carlo.
StreetSmart works by each participating restaurant adding an extra £1 to every bill they deliver throughout November and December, with all of the money raised going directly to local homeless organisations, thanks to StreetSmart’s official sponsorship from LandAid.
The funds raised by StreetSmart in Greater Manchester this year will support the crucial work of organisations such as CentrePoint, which funds Independent Living Advisors for young people, and Real Change Manchester, which plugs into the existing homelessness charities to provide that extra boost of funding that makes all the difference.
The StreetSmart team says it’s determined to deliver another record-breaking year in 2025, and provide much-needed support to the services that help some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Manchester restaurants are adding an extra £1 to bills to help fight homelessness this Christmas / Credit: Supplied | Rifqi Ali Ridho (via Unsplash)
“The festive period can be an incredibly tough time for the vulnerable people in our community,” explained Glenn Pougnet, who is the Director of StreetSmart.
“StreetSmart provides a simple way for people to help some of our city’s most in need. Giving back whilst dining out at Christmas is what StreetSmart is all about, and we’re thrilled to have so many restaurants already taking part.
Georgina Pellant -
3rd November 2021 
