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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Rowetta calls on Bez to not ‘let her down’ following Shaun Ryder allegations
Danny Jones
Ex-Happy Mondays singer Rowetta is imploring her fellow bandmate and long-time friend Bez to rally by her side after making a number of claims about frontman Shaun Ryder.
Speaking out for the first time back on 26 February, the 59-year-old screenshotted an old NME headline touching on a previous split, where they wrote about a “tussle” on a ferry to Ireland before Dublin’s Witness Festival 2000.
Having posted a series of messages on her X account since then, Rowetta has gone on to make more specific claims that Shaun Ryder not only assaulted her but even rendered her unconscious.
Rowetta left the band once again back in December of last year without offering much detail on the situation. The Manc music icon is continuing to both thank as well as share her own messages of support to victims of domestic violence and remains steadfast in her allegations.
Imagine if it was your Mother, your daughter, your sister, your loved one.
If you punch a woman, be man enough to admit it and apologise to my children.
Clarifying what reportedly happened two and half decades ago, Rowetta said on social media: “When I speak about Happy Mondays it will always be true. I’m not a liar.
“Shaun Ryder punched me, knocked me out […] there were lots of witnesses and my son had to see me with a black eye! Don’t call me a liar threatening with defamation! Should have called the cops!”
Nevertheless, this hasn’t stopped the Crumpsall native from reiterating her claims, writing in a subsequent post: “Everybody stop saying I’m lying. I’m speaking to my lawyer this afternoon. I have witnesses, photos and press.
“It’s not a new story. He didn’t deny it when it happened. Ask Bez why he didn’t go on stage [at Dublin’s Witness Fest 25 years ago].” Many people online have taken issue with how the story has been reported by some outlets so far too:
Just another sloppy unsubstantiated article . Fact check atleast
Crucially, it seems Rowetta is banking on her Bez – real name Mark Berry – to back up her claims as the case unfolds, addressing him directly in her most recent post: “Anyone who knows my kids knows they would never lie.
“I do hope Bez doesn’t let my kids down. I’ve always been there for him and his”, she went on to add. Her children, now in their 40s, have also expressed their shock at Ryder‘s denial.
Rowetta also shed some light on the most recent tour before leaving after 34 years, claiming that she stayed on a “16-bed bus on the last tour with mainly men [she] didn’t know, while Bez and his dogs, Neetsy and her merchandise-selling boyfriend, and Shaun + 1 stayed in luxury hotels.”
Although it’s hard to confirm details at this stage, it seems some have already made their minds up, with one user commenting: “It’s time for all the band to move on from Shaun Ryder, after listening to the Paul Ryder podcast, it highlights what a nasty self-centred bully he is. No doubt more skeletons in his closet.”
Mancunian has now become the UK’s ‘most desired’ accent
Emily Sergeant
Mancunian has now taken the crown as the ‘most desired’ accent in the UK, according to a new analysis.
You may remember that in recent years, the findings from two separate shocking surveys revealed that the Manchester accent is considered to be one of the ‘least respected’ nationwide, especially within the corporate world of work, and that northerners with strong accents are considered ‘less intelligent’ than their southern counterparts.
But now it seems like the tides have shifted slightly.
That’s because a new analysis by The Hearing Care Partnership revealing which regional voices are ‘turning heads’ in 2025 has seen Manchester take the top spot.
Last year in the hearing care company’s study, Essex topped the list as the UK’s most desired accent, but in 2025, Manchester came up to first place with a huge 127% increase in searches, pushing Essex down to the second spot.
Mancunian has now become the UK’s ‘most desired’ accent / Credit: Simon Emmett
The company claims the long-awaited Oasis reunion could be the ‘driving force’ behind the nation’s new curiosity towards Manchester’s tone.
“It’s interesting to see how the Manchester accent has become popular all of a sudden,” Ashish Shah, who is an audiologist at The Hearing Care Partnership, commented on the findings.
“Cultural events can really change how people feel about certain accents, and Manchester’s up-and-coming vibrant music scene, lively nightlife, and sports achievements might explain why so many people are interested in it now.
“Last year, Manchester wasn’t even in the top five, so jumping to number one with a 127% increase is really impressive.”
Top 10 ‘most desired’ UK accents
Manchester
Essex
Welsh
Yorkshire
Geordie
Cockney
Scouse
Birmingham
Scottish
Irish
Elsewhere on the list, it appears that regional accents across the UK have seen noticeable shifts.
The Welsh accent now ranks thirdon the list with a 24% increase in searches – a surge that could be linked to the hit BBC series The Traitors, where contestant Charlotte deliberately spoke in a Welsh accent as she believed it to be one of the most trustworthy.
Yorkshire’s unique sound has also seen an 18% boost this year, which is a major shift from 2024 when it was one of the least desirable, and the Geordie accent has also remained a favourite with a 17% increase in interest.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd September 2021 
