Kitchener dog takes unexpected trip on ION train
Rocco the boxer had an eventful day.
Rocco lives with his owner close to Mill Station, and is something of an escape artist. While his owner was on the phone, Rocco jumped over the backyard fence and headed to check out the ION trains.
Across the transit system in the Region of Waterloo, large animals are not allowed, excluding service animals. Small animals can be taken on GRT buses and ION trains, if they’re kept in a small crate or enclosure.
Rocco didn’t know that policy, however. As the train approached Mill Station, he was quickly noticed by its operator, Breanna Rutherford. Rutherford is an employee of Keolis, which operates the light rail vehicles on behalf of the Region of Waterloo.
Rutherford kept a close eye to make sure he stayed on the train platform as she pulled in. As she opened the train doors to let passengers get off and on, she spotted Rocco boarding the train through her security cameras.
Rutherford saw Rocco had a collar with tags, and wanted to make sure he made it back to his family. She rounded him up and took him to the operator cab, where he eventually had a nap during the trip to Fairway Station.
“He was quiet, the whole time,” said Rutherford. “It was nice to have him keeping me company that morning.”
Rutherford and Keolis Line Officer Diane Shipley kept an eye on Rocco until he was off the train and in safe hands. Both were happy to know he made it back to his family.
“I found out during my lunch that we had tracked down his owners, but up until that point I couldn’t stop thinking about Rocco and just hoping his family was re-united with him,” said Rutherford. “I have a dog myself. If something like this happened to him, I would hope that someone would ensure he got brought back home safely as well.”
Rocco’s family appreciated the care their canine received.
“We are so thankful,” said Valerie Lorusso, the mother of Rocco’s owner. “Rocco is a friendly fellow but likes to have adventures on his own. To the train staff who helped him, thank you for giving him a free ride and assistance. He had a prime view from the front seat. In the future, though, I think we’ll be making our fence higher.”