(IN): Dalmatian abandoned in rail wagon rescued

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http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Dalmatian-abandoned-in-rail-wagon-resc\

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Dalmatian abandoned in rail wagon rescued

16 Apr 2009, 0420 hrs IST, TNN

 

CHENNAI: In a dramatic rescue operation conducted by the People for Animals

(PfA), a two-year-old Dalmatian was rescued from a goods train on April 13.

The dog, which was booked on a goods train bound for Chennai-Egmore from

Bapatla, arrived at Egmore station on April 11 morning. With no one coming

forward to claim it, the animal lay abandoned in the wagon.

 

" Since it's a big dog, people were scared to approach it so it lay hungry

and thirsty in a dark corner of the wagon, " said Dr Sajayan, chief

veterinary officer of PfA, who oversaw the rescue.

 

On April 13, PfA got a call from Daniel Sudhakar, chief commercial

supervisor of the Southern Railway, alerting them about the situation. " It

was 4.50 pm when he called and we had just 10 minutes to do the rescue, as

the goods wagon with the dog was now hitched to a train bound for Kakinada

and it was to leave the station at 5 pm, " said Sajayan. A rescue team with

an ambulance was immediately dispatched. " We were not sure we could make it

to the station on time, " Dr Sajayan said. " But Daniel Sudhakar stepped in

and offered to try and delay the train's departure. " He managed to hold back

the train for about 10 minutes after the green signal was given.

 

The PfA team arrived at the station just as the second green signal was

given, but it did not deter the rescue team from swinging into action.

Attender Satish, junior vet Karthik and Dr Sajayan jumped onto the moving

train, rushed into the dark wagon, leashed the frightened dog and jumped

back onto the platform, just as the train drew out of the station.

 

" We are glad we could rescue the dog on time. Otherwise it would have died

in the wagon, " Dr Sajayan said. " But it would not have been possible without

the cooperation of the railway officials. "

 

The dog, which was running very high temperature, probably due to shock, was

given IV fluids and antibiotics and is now in a stable condition, he added.

 

While the rescue act is the first of its kind, there have been cases of pet

owners abandoning dogs in train, a PfA official said. " A year ago, a German

Shepherd was found abandoned in similar circumstances, " she said. " We think

this dog has also been abandoned by his owner, " Dr Sajayan said. " The crate

did not have any contact details, and the only contact number which was

provided was switched off. "

 

The Dalmatian is at present at the PfA Jinendra Animal Shelter in Red Hills.

Anybody interested in adopting this dog can contact PFA on 98404 82829. The

PfA also urges people to contact them at the same number if they witness any

act of cruelty to animals.

 

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