BBC Radio Manchester DJ Mike Sweeney has revealed that he bitten by a dog while out in a pub in Oldham over the weekend.
But in a strange turn of events, the dog owner blamed Mike for walking past it.
The Salford music legend was at a pub in Saddleworth with his wife Viv, and was walking to the bar inside the pub when a terrier-type dog bit him on the leg and ended up breaking the skin and leaving teeth marks – but Mike explained that the dog owner said it must have been his fault as the pet “had never done that before”.
Not only that, but Mike said the dog owner also blamed him for “looking like a post man” as he was wearing a red t-shirt.
Mike – who hosts BBC Radio Manchester’s mid-morning show – was also annoyed to discover after he got home that being bitten by a dog is against the law and a crime that can be reported to the police, but he was instead made to feel guilty for what happened.
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The DJ took to social media to vent his frustrations after the incident.
In a post on his Facebook page, 73-year-old Mike said: “Don’t normally post stuff like this on social media, however, I got bitten by a dog in a pub at the weekend and I’ve only just found out that actually it’s a crime.
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“I love dogs and most dog owners, but the attitude from the two of them in charge of this irascible little animal was really shocking… “It’s not bitten you”, “it’s never done that before”, “it’s your fault for walking past it”.
The Salford music legend was at a pub in Saddleworth with his wife Viv when the incident happened / Credit: Unsplash (Amie Johnson)
He continued: “Although the woman was quite apologetic, the man wasn’t.
“I felt that they thought I shouldn’t be near their dog and what had happened was an inconvenience that had spoilt their day.”
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Mike said that he immediately left the pub after the incident occurred so that he could properly tend to the wound at home with antiseptic wipes, telling the MEN: “I’m just hoping it doesn’t get infected as I’m going on holiday soon.
“But I’ve potentially got a dog bite scar on my leg forever.”
Since sharing the incident on social media, Mike said his post “exploded” with about 100 comments from shocked people – “and not had one person who says you shouldn’t walk past a dog in a pub,” he added.
After having been advised to report it to the police, Mike explained to the MEN that he’s reflecting on what to do next.
Mike was annoyed to later discover that being bitten by a dog is against the law / Credit: Facebook (Salford Lads Club)
“I only found out yesterday from a friend that it’s now a crime, I thought it was a civil matter,” he said.
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“But you are advised to report it on 101 so that the owners can be contacted to say ‘look your dog has bitten someone you maybe need to review how you deal with that and what control or not you have over the animal’.
“I’m having a think about what to do next.”
Featured Image – BBC Radio Manchester
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Viewers find just ONE flaw with ‘perfect’ Gavin and Stacey finale
Daisy Jackson
Gavin and Stacey aired its last-ever special on Christmas Day, an hour-and-a-half-long farewell to the characters so loved by most of the British public.
The hit series, which follows the lives and loves of Gavin and Smithy in Essex and Stacey and Nessa in Wales (along with all their hilarious, familiar family dynamics), returned after five years for a final send-off.
Gavin and Stacey: The Finale has been hailed a ‘perfect’ ending, with emotional scenes that moved viewers to tears of laughter, nostalgia and sadness.
But there was one flaw, one missed opportunity, that viewers can’t stop pointing out.
In the final episode, which picks up five years after Smithy (James Corden) proposed to Nessa (Ruth Jones) in a cliff-hanger that had us all shouting at our tellies, we’re back in Barry and in the frantic midst of wedding preparations. But whose wedding is it…?
Sadly it quickly transpires in the episode that Smithy is going ahead with his wedding to Sonia, a pretty and prim but passive aggressive Essex girl who has been named as one of TV’s best villains.
(Side note – Laura Aikman, who plays Sonia, kept her return in the show a complete secret even from her family – look at the moment they found out here).
Neil the Baby singing in the Gavin and Stacey finale. Credit: BBC
Throughout Gavin and Stacey: The Reunion, we see how Smithy’s relationship with his son Neil, now a teenager, has blossomed, with the teen singing at his wedding to Sonia and taking on an apprenticeship with his dad.
For almost 20 years, Neil The Baby has been a crucial part of the Gavin and Stacey storyline throughout and is even still played by the same actor, keeping Smithy and Nessa, who co-parent him, intrinsically linked.
So when he suddenly goes ‘missing’ during the climax of the finale, fans were pretty fuming.
In the dramatic final scenes, Smithy runs out of his wedding and goes to find Nessa, realising that she has been his true love all along.
How do we explain to Beyoncé that a character called Neil the Baby on BBC had most of the UK more interested than her performance of ‘Blackbird’ ? https://t.co/Cv6Zzpwpk6
But despite departing in a huge coach (oh yeah, Dave Coaches is back), he weirdly leaves their son behind?! Gavin and Stacey also just abandon their children at the cancelled wedding.
Smithy and Nessa finally, finally get together in a beautiful moment with a great monologue from Smithy, and their own son isn’t there to witness it. Wild.
One person said: “Gavin and Stacey was actual perfection apart from a tiny thing. Why didn’t Neil the Baby get on the bus to get Nessa? They were his parents and it would have been perfect him seeing Smithy propose! It’s just a very minor thought probably me being way too picky!”
Neil the baby and Gavin and Stacey's kids at the cancelled wedding after the grown ups leave to find Nessa pic.twitter.com/deX86ahALY
Gavin and Stacey was actual perfection apart from a tiny thing. Why didn’t Neil the Baby get on the bus to get Nessa? They were his parents and it would have been perfect him seeing Smithy propose! It’s just a very minor thought probably me being way too picky! #GavinAndStaceypic.twitter.com/aUiNSHsLxZ
Oldham Athletic owner praised for ‘heartwarming’ Christmas gesture
Danny Jones
Amidst all the festive fixture congestion and travel drama, the lovely side of football can often get lost this time of year, but the owner of Oldham Athletic FC has gone viral for reminding everyone of what’s important this Christmas.
The Latics faced off against Braintree Town in the National League in their last game before Christmas on Saturday, 21 December, walking away with a 2-0 win on the road to send the travelling fans home with an early stocking filler.
However, it wasn’t the result that fans and supporters all over the country have been talking about, it was a small but heartfelt gesture from Oldham owner Frank Rothwell who was in attendance for the pre-Christmas away game that has left people applauding him and the values now instilled around the club.
What a difference a bit of recognition, gratitude and simple kindness can make, eh?
As you can see, the 74-year-old entrepreneur (best known for founding the Manchester Cabins portable buildings company) didn’t just send out a Christmas message via club media or record a quick video as many other teams still struggle to put the effort into, he stayed behind to thank every single supporter.
Shaking hands and offering out hugs, all with a sincere enthusiasm and generally lovely demeanour, the Oldham native – donning his distinctive blue club flat cap – made sure to wish each and every one of them a merry Christmas before the nearly five-hour drive home.
Just downright wholesome stuff this, isn’t it?
Reacting to the video which has been reshared countless times online, one person said: “As a former Oldham resident it’s nice to see someone at the top care about the club, the residents and the town in general. It’s been a long time since that has been the case”; another added, “A nice gesture by the owner… After all, it’s the fans who make the game special.”
A third user wrote, “Oldham is a very lucky club. I had the pleasure of a chat with Frank in the tent at PP. I can honestly say one of the nicest, most genuine people I’ve met.” A subsequent reply underneath the comment read: “Hate these lot but f*** me I’m jealous, what a genuine bloke he seems to be.”
Hope you get back soon, Oldham belong in the Football league.
Rothwell completed his takeover of struggling Oldham Athletic back in 2022 after they were relegated from the EFL (English Football League) after 115 years.
Spirits were understandably low at Boundary Park back then and things are still far from perfect, but the sentiment around the club now is a much more uplifting one, as Rothwell and his board look to have really ingratiated themselves among the fans and the community.
Micky Mellon’s side were set to take on York City in their final game of 2024 on Boxing Day but the match was ultimately postponed due to intense foggy conditions which plagued many of Thursday’s games. They will now take on Hartlepool away on New Year’s Day.
You can pretty much guarantee Frank will be along to watch that one too. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all the football club owners keeping the heart of the beautiful game alive.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd September 2021 
