Ruswarp

Dog who stayed by dead master's side for 11 weeks honoured with statue

A devoted dog who stayed by his dead master's side for 11 weeks on a remote mountainside in winter is being recognised with a statue in his honour.

In a tale reminiscent of Greyfriars Bobby, border collie Ruswarp stuck by the side of owner Graham Nuttall after he got into trouble walking on 20 January 1990.

When Mr Nuttall, 41, did not return to Burnley in Lancashire from his day's walk in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, neighbours raised the alarm.

A week-long search found nothing, while missing person posters and leaflets also failed to produce any sightings.

But on 7 April walker David Clarke found the body by a mountain stream. Next to him was Ruswarp, who had stood guard over his master through snow and rain. The 14-year-old dog was so weak he had to be carried off the mountain.

Despite being cared for by a local vet he died shortly after attending Mr Nuttall's funeral.

Comparisons were drawn with Greyfrairs Bobby, the 19th century Skye terrier who watched over his master's Edinburgh grave for 14 years.

Now a bronze statue of Ruswarp – pronounced 'Russup' – is to be unveiled at Garsdale Station in North Yorkshire on the scenic Settle to Carlisle railway line.

Mark Rand, chairman of the Friends of the Settle to Carlisle Line, said man and dog had played a major part in preventing the line's closure in the 1980s.

"A petition objecting to the closure was signed by 32,000 people and one dog. That dog was Ruswarp who had his say with a paw print," he said.

"Today the railway line is thriving again. Having a statue there of Ruswarp will symbolise not only the successful fight to save the line but also the loyalty of man's best friend."

The bronze statue is set to be unveiled early next year.

Mr Rand said: "This is the silver lining to a very bitter-sweet story."