Dogs love a game of chase - especially when their owner gets in on the action. But one mischievous pooch took the game to another level after running away from its owner and hitching a ride on a train. Pugsie, a pug from Wiltshire, escaped during a walk and was eventually found on a train carriage last Thursday evening.
Dog wardens from Wiltshire Council were called to Westbury Railway Station after staff found Pugsie 'left on the train'. The pooch was then kept safe and warm in the railway office until she was identified by her microchip. Pugsie's shocked owner was then contacted and attended the station to collect her, but when she arrived she revealed that 'all was not as it originally seemed'.
It turned out that Pugsie had been out for a walk with her owner when she suddenly disappeared.
Pugsie had taken herself to the local train station, trotted onto the platform and hopped on the first train.
A post from Wiltshire Council Public Protection Services Facebook page added: "After some words of advice, Pugsie was safely back on the train home with her very relieved and grateful mum."
It comes after a train worker rescued a lost dog who fell onto the tracks at Leagrave Station, in Bedfordshire, and couldn't get back up.
Ticket gateline assistant Paul Hawthorn, 56, from Luton, was working his usual shift when the pup suddenly leapt down and got stuck.
Panic struck among spectators as the pooch frantically raced up and down the tracks, trying to find a way out.
Thankfully, Paul acted fast and saved the beloved dog from a horrific death - with the help of a croissant.
The courageous moment soon went viral on TikTok and thousands of animal lovers worldwide have praised his brave efforts.
He said: "My worst fear was realised as it jumped down on the tracks. I was thinking 'What should I do?' and then my training kicked in.
"I rang the signalman to caution the trains, getting them to slow down ready to stop if necessary.
"I'm not allowed to go down on the track but the guy from the coffee kiosk on the platform there had some croissant and enticed the dog over to the platform edge.
"It couldn't jump back up but as it put its paws up to get the croissant I managed to grab it and haul it up on to the platform.
"I couldn't let go - it would have wriggled free again - so I just held on and two people came along and hauled me up to my feet."
Paul then took the dog into the safety of the staffroom and shared a picture on social media to try and identify its owner.
Within two hours, the pet's worried parents arrived at Leagrave Station to collect their runaway dog.
Do you have a dog story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
