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PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A four-month-old red heeler named Happy is recovering after being dragged by a moving light rail train when the car’s doors closed on his leash near Metro Center.
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The incident happened one week ago at the light rail station at Mountain View and 25th Avenue.
What happened on the platform
Happy’s owner, Sarah Bass, said she and Happy were riding the light rail on their way to the dog park.
When the doors opened, Happy stepped out onto the platform. Bass dropped something, and in the few seconds it took her to turn around, the doors snapped shut with Happy on the other side.
“It was terrible. It was terrible,” Bass said.
Bass said she hit the emergency stop button, but it did not work. A witness said Happy was dragged hundreds of feet with his leash pinned in the doorway.
“My dog was going to die,” Bass said.
“I feel so bad for him. I can’t imagine, I can’t imagine how scared he was or what he was thinking,” Bass said.
Nonprofit covers emergency surgery
Dogs Day Out AZ, a Valley nonprofit that helps homeless dogs, heard Happy’s story and stepped in. The organization got Happy into emergency surgery and covered the entire bill.
“Take one look at Happy and tell us how we could have not stepped up for that dog,” said Monique Hebert, founder and president of Dogs Day Out AZ.
“You can’t not help a dog when a dog’s in that situation. You just have to step up and do it,” Hebert added.
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Owner issues warning to other riders
Bass wants to share what happened as a warning to other light rail travelers so no other pets go through the same experience.
“The doors are supposed to open; they’re supposed to open. It’s not safe,” Bass said.
In a statement, Valley Metro said that while the train operator was responding to the emergency call button, a different passenger hit the door release, which is what stopped the train. Valley Metro said the operator followed protocol. The agency added that all animals, except service animals, are required to travel in enclosed carriers.
We are sorry to hear of this incident and glad to hear that Happy will make a full recovery. The emergency call button inside the vehicle directly alerts the train operator and the door release stops the train automatically. In this case, while the operator was responding to a passenger at the emergency call button, another passenger deployed the door release stopping the train. The operator was consistent with protocol, with additional supervision and emergency services also being called to support the scene.
It is also worth noting, per our code of conduct, and to ensure the safety of all, including our animals, all animals (except service animals) must be carried inside an enclosed and secured cage or carrying case small enough to fit on a rider’s lap, and must not endanger or disturb other passengers. Service animals that are trained to assist an individual with a disability are welcome on board Valley Metro and must always be under the control of their handlers.
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