Dog hit by train in Westbury has 'amazing' escape

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From The BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

A dog which was hit by a train survived by lying on the tracks while three further trains passed by . Labrador Poppy was being walked near home in Westbury, Wiltshire, when she chased a deer on to the line and was hit by a train.

Sarah Holmes, from Garston Vets, said it was "to everyone's amazement" Poppy, who lay still between tracks as three trains went past, was still alive.

Poppy suffered a couple of broken ribs and has since been given the all-clear.

The deer, which was also hit, was killed instantly in the incident on 17 January.

As a dog owner / lover - happy for the dog.  But really people should be in control ... and if the dog's liable to run off or chase, near a railway isn't the place ...

[phile]

I was at Westbury one day when a train from Weymouth arrived and on the doors of the 158 opening, out jumped a dog who just trotted along the platform and last seen going down the stairs.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Without showing a ticket??? 

[grahame]

I was at Westbury one day when a train from Weymouth arrived and on the doors of the 158 opening, out jumped a dog who just trotted along the platform and last seen going down the stairs.

Search for -  lampo dog - a lovely story I remember from many years back

[Phantom]

I was at Westbury one day when a train from Weymouth arrived and on the doors of the 158 opening, out jumped a dog who just trotted along the platform and last seen going down the stairs.

Remember a horrible experience at Exeter St Davids when an elderly lady stepped off with a frail looking dog and the dog fell under the train, will always remember the screams of despair from the lady. Luckily a quick thinking member of platform staff stopped all the trains from moving and the pooch was successfully recovered from under the train

[Red Squirrel]

I was at Westbury one day when a train from Weymouth arrived and on the doors of the 158 opening, out jumped a dog who just trotted along the platform and last seen going down the stairs.

Search for -  lampo dog - a lovely story I remember from many years back

...and then there's dear old Ruswarp, an admirable dog if ever there was one.

[Bmblbzzz]

I was at Westbury one day when a train from Weymouth arrived and on the doors of the 158 opening, out jumped a dog who just trotted along the platform and last seen going down the stairs.

Remember a horrible experience at Exeter St Davids when an elderly lady stepped off with a frail looking dog and the dog fell under the train, will always remember the screams of despair from the lady. Luckily a quick thinking member of platform staff stopped all the trains from moving and the pooch was successfully recovered from under the train

Nothing to do with dogs, but I know a man who rescued a toddler in a similar situation at BHM.

[hoover50]

I once taught my dog to play the trumpet on the London Underground. He went from Barking to Tooting in 55 minutes.

[Western Pathfinder]

I once taught my dog to play the trumpet on the London Underground. He went from Barking to Tooting in 55 minutes.

I'll get you your coat !

[bobm]

There is a hotel in Teignmouth which makes special provision for visually impaired people and their dogs.   Unfortunately Teignmouth station has a rather big step down from the train, particularly on the down line, and more than once I have seen a dog fall into the gap and had to be rescued.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Many (probably about 15) years ago, I helped to retrieve a blind man's guide dog from the railway tracks at my local station.

Apparently, the dog was so averse to walking through the puddles of rainwater on the platform that she inadvertently toppled over the platform edge onto the track while trying to avoid them.

Several of us promptly rushed over and lifted the dog back up onto the platform. 

[johnneyw]

Many (probably about 15) years ago, I helped to retrieve a blind man's guide dog from the railway tracks at my local station.

Apparently, the dog was so averse to walking through the puddles of rainwater on the platform that she inadvertently toppled over the platform edge onto the track while trying to avoid them.

Several of us promptly rushed over and lifted the dog back up onto the platform. 

Blimey, I wonder how much faith the owner had in his dog after that? It could have conceivably been him on the trackbed too.

Well done you though!

[broadgage]

Guide dogs can not I suspect judge the depth of water. They know not the difference between a large puddle and a dangerous lake or river.
A dog in relatively natural conditions has little NEED to know the depth of water as they are well able to paddle through shallow water or swim if it is deeper.
Guide dogs are therefore trained to avoid all water.

I recently observed a guide dog that was very confused by a shallow flood from a burst water main, I assisted the dog and owner through the very shallow water. The dog was clearly upset and made sad whining noises until through the water.