Move over Monty Python, Montgomery Burns and Monty Brown — your names are now shared by Michigan’s newest star of safe digging. Monty, a 2-year-old wire fox terrier, has been named as the next Michigan Gas Utilities (MGU) safe digging “ambassadog.”
This very good boy from Dundee now has the important responsibility of reminding people to call 811 at least three days before they dig.
MGU customers and dog lovers alike cast thousands of votes in this year’s safe digging photo contest. Monty finished as the top dog out of nine finalists from across southern and western Michigan. He’ll spend the next year as the star of an awareness campaign reminding people to call 811 before every digging project.
Old name, new energy for safe digging awareness
Monty was born a Buckeye, but quickly became a true-blue Michigan man. His family brought him home from Ohio when he was 10 weeks old, picking him out because of his energetic and playful personality. Monty’s family named him after Montmorency, the mischievous and humorous terrier in the 1889 English novel “Three Men in a Boat.”
Along with digging, Monty’s family says he loves to chase squirrels and rodents around his yard. He also enjoys playing fetch or trying to wrestle away the rope during friendly games of tug-of-war.
Watch for Monty as the fur-ocious face of MGU’s safe digging campaign on the company’s social media channels all year long.
About 811
Digging can be dangerous if you don’t call 811 at least three days in advance. Whether you’re planting a garden or installing a fence, it’s important to have the location of underground utilities marked to keep you and your family safe. Notifying MISS DIG 811 is easy, it’s free, and it’s the law.