HIS DOG HAS BEEN FOUND — BUT WHERE IS ANTHONY? SEARCH FOR MISSING 69-YEAR-OLD INTENSIFIES AS POLICE SCOUR CANAL
A desperate search is continuing for a 69-year-old man who disappeared while walking his beloved dog in Greater Manchester.
Anthony was last seen near the Royal Oak pub on Water Street in Radcliffe at around 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 1.
Hours later, his dog was found alone.
But Anthony was nowhere to be seen.
The discovery has left his family facing an agonising wait for answers, while police continue to investigate what happened during the walk that ended with the pair becoming separated.
Now, specialist search teams have joined the operation, including underwater officers examining canal areas close to where Anthony was last seen.
HIS DOG WAS FOUND — BUT ANTHONY WAS MISSING
According to Greater Manchester Police, Anthony was walking his dog near the Royal Oak pub when he disappeared.
His dog was discovered several hours later near the junction of Higher Ainsworth Road and Bury and Bolton Road, approximately a mile from the pub.
However, there was still no sign of its owner.
The discovery prompted further concern about Anthony’s whereabouts and led officers to appeal to people living in or familiar with the surrounding area.
Police have described Anthony as last wearing a blue puffer jacket and blue jeans.
Investigators are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who may have seen him walking his dog on Sunday afternoon.
UNDERWATER SEARCH TEAMS JOIN THE OPERATION
As concern for Anthony’s welfare grows, the search has expanded to include specialist underwater teams.
Officers are searching canal areas near his last known location, working alongside Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Police believe Anthony may have walked onto a canal path behind the Royal Oak pub.
Detective Inspector Steven Horton 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.”
He urged anyone familiar with the surrounding area, particularly people who regularly use the canal route, to remain vigilant and contact police with any information.
However, officers have been careful to stress that the possibility Anthony entered the water is only one line of enquiry being explored.
The deployment of underwater search teams does not confirm that he fell into the canal.
THE MISSING DOG LEAD COULD HOLD AN IMPORTANT CLUE
In a further appeal, police released an image of the distinctive red-and-white dog lead Anthony is believed to have been using when he disappeared.
The lead has not yet been found.
Detective Inspector Horton said anyone who comes across it, or believes they may have seen it, should contact police.
Investigators are hoping the discovery could help them establish more about Anthony’s movements and what happened during the hours after he was last seen.
For people familiar with the area, even a small detail could be important.
Someone may have noticed an elderly man walking a dog, seen the dog alone, or spotted something unusual near the canal path.
Police are urging witnesses not to assume that information they consider insignificant will not be useful.
A FAMILY WAITING FOR THEIR LOVED ONE TO COME HOME
Behind the search operation is a family enduring an extremely distressing period of uncertainty.
Anthony’s disappearance has prompted growing concern, and police say their priority is to bring him home safely while supporting his loved ones.
Detective Inspector Horton said:
“Our priority is bringing Anthony home to his family who we are supporting during this particularly distressing time.”
As the search continues, officers are asking residents, dog walkers and anyone who travelled through Radcliffe on Sunday afternoon to think carefully about anything they may have witnessed.
The fact that Anthony’s dog was found without him has made the search especially concerning, but investigators have not yet established how or where the pair became separated.
HOW YOU CAN HELP FIND ANTHONY
Anyone with information about Anthony’s whereabouts, or who may have found the missing red-and-white dog lead, is urged to contact Greater Manchester Police.
- Police contact: 101
- Online: Greater Manchester Police website
- Reference number: 4055 of November 1, 2026
Anthony was last seen around 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, near the Royal Oak pub on Water Street, Radcliffe.
He was wearing a blue puffer jacket and blue jeans.
His dog has been found, but his family is still waiting for news of Anthony.
As specialist teams continue searching the canal and surrounding areas, police are appealing to the public to share any information that could help.
Sometimes, one small detail can make a difference.
PLEASE SHARE — HELP BRING ANTHONY HOME.
