“It’s probably one of the worst things I’ve seen,” said Union Pacific Special Agent Sal Pina, who untied a 10-month-old puppy from train tracks near Mecca, California.
The poodle-terrier mix’s owner, a 78-year-old man, tied him to the tracks and walked away, but an alert train engineer was able to apply emergency brakes to stop the train before the dog was injured. Agent Pina responded to the scene, and also spoke with the man, who said he didn’t know what to do because his family didn’t want the dog. The man was not charged with animal cruelty because he showed signs of “mental confusion.”
The dog was named “Banjo” by officials after old traffic signals near train rails, and is now happy, healthy, and looking for a new home. He’s currently residing at the Riverside County Animal Services, who released a statement about his story Tuesday.
PHOTO: Riverside County Animal Services
