69-Year-Old Pensioner Disappears While Walking His Dog — Pet Found Alone Hours Later as Underwater Search Teams Join Desperate Hunt

A desperate search is continuing for a 69-year-old pensioner who vanished while walking his dog in Greater Manchester, after his beloved pet was discovered alone several hours later.

Police have now deployed specialist underwater search teams and released a photograph of a distinctive red-and-white dog lead they believe the missing man was carrying, hoping the unusual item could provide a crucial clue to his whereabouts.

Anthony, 69, was last seen at approximately 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, near the Royal Oak pub on Water Street in Radcliffe, a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Bury, Greater Manchester.

He had been out walking his dog when he suddenly disappeared.

Several hours later, his dog was discovered alone near the junction of Higher Ainsworth Road and Bury and Bolton Road, approximately a mile from the pub where Anthony was last seen.

The discovery immediately raised concern among those searching for him. Although the dog had been located, Anthony was nowhere to be found.

Greater Manchester Police launched an urgent search operation, with officers and multiple specialist teams working to establish what happened during the hours between his disappearance and the discovery of his pet.

Underwater search teams brought in as concern grows

As the search entered its fourth day, police confirmed that specialist underwater search teams had joined the operation.

Officers are examining canal areas close to Anthony’s last known location, particularly a canal path behind the Royal Oak pub.

Investigators believe Anthony may have walked onto this path on Sunday afternoon. However, police have stressed that the possibility he entered the water remains only one line of inquiry.

No official conclusion has been reached about what happened to him.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is also assisting officers as the search continues.

Detective Inspector Steven Horton said police were becoming increasingly concerned about Anthony’s welfare.

He said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Anthony’s welfare and officers are working alongside our partners, including Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, as we continue our search.”

Missing dog lead could provide a vital clue

In a renewed appeal for information, police released an image of the distinctive red-and-white lead Anthony is believed to have been using when he disappeared.

The lead has not been recovered.

Investigators are asking anyone who has walked through the surrounding area, particularly along the canal paths, to look out for the item and report anything that might help establish Anthony’s movements.

Detective Inspector Horton said:

“We are also releasing an image of the lead we believe Anthony was using to walk his dog when he went missing.

“This lead has not been found and anyone who comes across it, or thinks they have seen it, is being encouraged to call us on 101 or report online.”

The missing lead is particularly important to investigators because it may help them identify the route Anthony and his dog took before he disappeared.

What was Anthony wearing when he disappeared?

According to Greater Manchester Police, Anthony was last seen wearing:

• A blue puffer coat.
• Blue jeans.

He was walking his dog near the Royal Oak pub on Water Street at approximately 4 p.m. on November 1.

His dog was subsequently found near the junction of Higher Ainsworth Road and Bury and Bolton Road.

Police are urging anyone who may have seen Anthony, his dog, or the distinctive red-and-white lead to come forward.

Police make emotional appeal to the public

Detective Inspector Horton emphasized that officers are working closely with partner agencies and supporting Anthony’s family throughout what he described as a particularly distressing time.

He said:

“We believe Anthony could have walked onto a canal path behind the Royal Oak pub on Sunday and we’re urging anyone who knows the surrounding area, or regularly uses the route, to remain vigilant and get in touch with us with any information.”

He also made clear that the underwater search does not mean investigators have established that Anthony entered the water.

“While underwater search teams are involved in this operation, the hypothesis that Anthony could have entered water is just one line of enquiry that we are currently exploring.”

He added:

“Our priority is bringing Anthony home to his family who we are supporting during this particularly distressing time.”

How to help find Anthony

Greater Manchester Police are appealing to residents, local workers, dog walkers and anyone who regularly visits the area around Water Street and the nearby canal paths to check whether they witnessed anything unusual on Sunday afternoon.

Anyone with information about Anthony’s whereabouts, or who believes they may have found the missing dog lead, is urged to contact Greater Manchester Police.

Contact: 101 or the Greater Manchester Police online reporting service.

Reference number: 4055 of November 1, 2026.

As the search continues, Anthony’s family is left waiting for answers. Police are urging the public not to overlook even the smallest detail, as one piece of information could help investigators understand what happened to the missing pensioner.

For now, the search remains ongoing, and officers say their priority is to bring Anthony home to his loved ones.