NEW YORK — A fleet-footed pooch is lucky to be alive after racing a commuter train in New York City.
The dog ran alongside the Metro-North Railroad train on a parallel track Tuesday, The New York Post reported. About half a dozen other trains in the area or scheduled to pass through were told to slow down and watch out for a stray animal, said the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which runs Metro-North. The trains run on tracks that are electrified by a third rail, at about 700 volts.
Engineer Joseph Delia said the dog was running "like she didn't have a care in the world." Then she got ahead of the train, and Delia said he had to go "real slow" to avoid hitting her.
Two MTA police officers brought the dog to safety at 125th Street station in Manhattan. The agency said the dog walked into the officers' arms at end of the platform as customers applauded.
The dog was limping and nursing one of her paws, but was otherwise in good spirits, one of the officers said.
The officers named the dog "Tie" after all the railroad ties she crossed. They were reunited with her for a photo Wednesday at Animal Care and Control.
The dog, believed to be a shepherd/collie mix about 3 years old, had no tags or microchips. If an owner can't be located, Tie will be put up for adoption.
Dog is rescued after racing train in New York City
An MTA Police officier holds "Tie" on a leash at the Harlem 125th Metro North station in New York.(AP Photo/Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Meredith Daniels)