Quick-thinking Tyne and Wear Metro staff have been praised after rescuing a runaway dog from one of the network’s busiest sections of railway, reuniting him safely with his relieved owner.
Operations managers Louis Meach and Alan Hudson sprang into action on 19 June after receiving reports that Bobby, a three-and-a-half-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback, had wandered onto the Metro line between South Gosforth and Ilford Road.
The stretch is one of the busiest parts of the Tyne and Wear Metro network, with frequent train movements throughout the day.
Bobby had escaped from the home of a dog sitter in Gosforth shortly after his owner, Barry Churchill, had arrived at work. As news of the escape spread, sightings placed the dog on Armstrong Bridge and in Jesmond Dene before he eventually found his way onto the railway.
After a member of the public recognised Bobby from a Facebook appeal and alerted Metro staff, Louis and Alan coordinated a rescue. Train drivers were instructed to proceed with caution while the pair accessed the track in search of the dog.
Armed with an improvised lure—some chicken borrowed from a colleague’s packed lunch—they successfully gained Bobby’s trust before placing him back on his lead and escorting him safely away from the railway.
Louis, who has worked as a Metro operations manager for five years, said the incident highlighted the importance of responding quickly.
“We reacted quickly. We got on the next train, and the driver was able to proceed at caution. We then got out on the lines to look for Bobby on foot. We found him near an access gate and enticed him with the food. Alan managed to get him on the lead, and we took him off the line quickly after that.
“It was a relief because it could have been a lot worse. There was a real risk he could have been struck by a train. It was satisfying to know we had rescued him. It was all in a day’s work.”
Louis also joked that one of their colleagues deserved recognition for sacrificing part of their lunch to help secure the rescue.
Alan Hudson said seeing Bobby reunited with his owner made the effort worthwhile.
“I’m just so pleased we were able to get the dog back safely and unharmed. The owner was a relieved man and was close to tears.”
He also urged members of the public never to enter the railway themselves if a pet strays onto the network.
“If anyone loses a dog on the Metro line, always contact a member of our staff. Never attempt to go onto the Metro tracks yourself.”
Barry Churchill described the experience as an emotional ordeal after learning Bobby had disappeared less than half an hour after arriving with the dog sitter.
Social media quickly became a vital part of the search, with members of the public sharing sightings that eventually helped Metro staff locate the dog.
After being reunited with Bobby, Barry made a point of personally thanking the two operations managers.
“I cannot thank the Metro staff enough for their efforts. Alan and Louis have done a fantastic job. I’m enormously grateful. It could have turned out much worse.
“People were sharing my appeal online and I was desperately trying to find him. The relief when I got Bobby back was overwhelming.”
The successful rescue has drawn praise for the professionalism and swift actions of Metro staff, whose training enabled them to respond safely while minimising disruption to train services and ensuring both the public and the dog remained out of harm’s way.
