Hundreds help to find dog lost on moors
ANIMAL-LOVERS went to extraordinary lengths to find a lost dog.
Hundreds of strangers joined in the search for toy poodle Bella, who went missing while being walked on the moors above Littleborough on Saturday.
Drones armed with heat-seeking cameras were flown above the hills, search parties of horse riders scoured the moors and a pack of sniffer hounds were also deployed after threeyear-old Bella ran off while being walked by family friend Ben Snape on Blackstone Edge last Saturday afternoon.
And the remarkable efforts paid off when the pooch was found on Thursday morning on Blackstone Edge Road by a workman who was driving past.
Call centre manager Ben, 31, says Bella got spooked when two motorbikes sped past on a footpath known as the Roman Road.
Ben spent the next five hours searching for Bella, who is owned by Lynne and Noel Foster, of Littleborough.
He added: “Bella is owned by my best mate’s parents and I’ve been walking her for a few years - she’s like a family pet for me as well.
“I felt really, really responsible for what happened.
“Everyone is ecstatic that she has been found. She was cold and wet, but she’s OK.
“The community response has been incredible. Facebook has been unbelievable.
“Everyone has helped, people have come from far and wide to help with the search all because they love dogs and they are just being nice.
“The sense of community, of pulling together has been brilliant.
“It’s not just a dog, it’s a family pet, and everyone is made up she’s been found.”
With minutes of Ben posting the good news on Facebook dozens of wellwishers had replied with messages of congratulation.
Claire Gresty wrote: “So so happy for you all Ben, you’ve worked so hard to find her give her the biggest kiss from me and my lot send doggy licks xx.”
Susan Snape posted: “Omg. Just been thinking about her and hoping Bella would be home soon.
“Best news ever! Xxxxx.”
And Christine Bispham wrote: “Glad she has been found, great news x.”