Rescued Baildon dog back with his Cleckheaton lifesavers

7:00am Friday 11th January 2013 in News

Zak is pictured with members of the Cleckheaton fire service Zak is pictured with members of the Cleckheaton fire service

A dog plucked from a hole on Shipley Glen was full of excitement when he met the firefighters who saved its life.

Golden labrador Zak and his owner Andrew Eastell went along to Cleckheaton fire station yesterday.

Zak was fussed over by Laura Boocock, 29, the firefighter who pulled him out of the six-foot deep crevice at the end of his 53-hour ordeal on Thursday, January 3.

Crew commander Boocock, who spent about three hours laying down talking to Zak during the rescue, said: “It’s good to see he has put some weight on! He was like a whippet when we got him out.”

Mr Eastell, 55, of Baildon, said: “It is great to be able to say thank you. I remember seeing Laura laying on the cold stone. At one point she looked up, caught my eye and gave me this big beaming smile.”

Firefighter Anton Frazer said: “Zak looks in remarkably good condition considering what he went through.”

Mr Eastell also revealed that Craig Pennington, owner of Mo the border collie who found Zak, turned down a £1,000 reward. The cash will instead be split between a charity for lost dogs and the Firefighters Charity.

Zak has also been named mascot of Shipley-based Salts FC, where Mr Eastell manages a Sunday side, and has been given his own shirt.

Comments(18)

beardedclam says...
8:19am Fri 11 Jan 13

Absolutely disgusting waste of life saving public services.

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andreweastell says...
8:39am Fri 11 Jan 13

Before the rescue started I signed a form agreeing to be responsible for all costs incurred.

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fish'n'chips says...
8:49am Fri 11 Jan 13

beardedclam wrote:
Absolutely disgusting waste of life saving public services.
His comment below yours makes you look a little mean spirited now. Good on Andrew for being a responsible citizen and it seems by his actions a good person.

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MontyLeMar says...
9:38am Fri 11 Jan 13

beardedclam wrote:
Absolutely disgusting waste of life saving public services.
No, it's all good practice for a team of professionals whose next victim may be a 5 year old tot stuck in similar circumstances.

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shipley pride says...
10:11am Fri 11 Jan 13

beardedclam shame on you, we pay taxes too you know, your compassion is underwhelming. People like you are the reason I prefer the company of dogs. Thank you firefighters.

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Albion. says...
10:38am Fri 11 Jan 13

fish'n'chips wrote:
beardedclam wrote:
Absolutely disgusting waste of life saving public services.
His comment below yours makes you look a little mean spirited now. Good on Andrew for being a responsible citizen and it seems by his actions a good person.
Well said.

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bullybullman says...
11:25am Fri 11 Jan 13

andreweastell wrote:
Before the rescue started I signed a form agreeing to be responsible for all costs incurred.
What an idiotic comment ! Good on all involved.Im sure Andrew would have given every penny to save his pet.

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bullybullman says...
11:27am Fri 11 Jan 13

Andrew - The idiotic comment was bearded clam not yours he never has a good word to say about anything.

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Marty12 says...
11:35am Fri 11 Jan 13

andreweastell wrote:
Before the rescue started I signed a form agreeing to be responsible for all costs incurred.
Did you have to pay? I'd have thought this was a humanitarian act, not something comparable to pumping out a basement!

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Marty12 says...
11:35am Fri 11 Jan 13

MontyLeMar wrote:
beardedclam wrote: Absolutely disgusting waste of life saving public services.
No, it's all good practice for a team of professionals whose next victim may be a 5 year old tot stuck in similar circumstances.
True!

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yorkshiredude says...
12:24pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Yay, go Zak!

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ANY WHERE BUT HERE says...
12:41pm Fri 11 Jan 13

Great news, mo is a top dog, plus twice as much personality than beardedclam.

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citizen smith says...
1:05pm Fri 11 Jan 13

If I had to make a choice I'd rather live in a world where the emergency services are spending their time and resources rescuing a loved family pet for a grateful owner than cutting some drugged-up scumbag from a wrecked car on Canal Road after they've risked the lives of innocent others in trying to escape from the police.

Congratulations to all involved and hopefully a fast recovery for Zak!

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CASSIE CASS says...
4:35pm Fri 11 Jan 13

"Mr Beardedclam" is actually extremley wrong, as whilst those dedicated and professional Firefighters were saving Zak they were also utilising their training skills and putting them into practice. No doubt had an emergency come in at that time regarding the saving of a human life then the officers would have been redeployed to that incident as a matter of priority. So it was most definately not a waste of time or resources and we should feel priviledged in this country that we are fortunate to have such a wonderful caring and professional Fire and Rescue Service and lets not forget that dogs as well as other animals bring much pleasure and joy to peoples lives (although maybe not Mr Beardyclam) as well as assisting in capacities such as Dogs for the Disabled, Guide Dogs, Bomb Disposal Dogs.

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ollie59 says...
10:19pm Fri 11 Jan 13

beardedclam wrote:
Absolutely disgusting waste of life saving public services.
How many lives were lost whilst this was going on? Do you know something we don't? Great people all round, great story, just a shame about you.

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juliejeb says...
3:23pm Sat 12 Jan 13

Did I miss something or wasn't a life saved here?

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albert2003 says...
10:32am Sun 13 Jan 13

"Mr Beardedclam" just cos you have hair round your mouth, you have no need to talk like one,

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CASSIE CASS says...
3:32pm Sun 13 Jan 13

He may be a she???????

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