A newly adopted dog survived nearly two days inside a San Francisco train tunnel as Caltrain trains passed nearby. The 2-year-old pit bull mix, named Roo, had disappeared after becoming frightened and running away from his owner.
Caltrain employees initially spotted the brown-and-white dog lying motionless inside a tunnel in the Potrero Hill neighborhood. They believed he might have been struck by a train.
A driver saw Roo lift his head the following day, revealing that he was still alive. San Francisco Animal Care and Control officers then entered the dark tunnel with Caltrain employees to find him.
Roo was frightened when the rescue team approached, but his demeanor quickly changed once he was secured on a leash. He confidently led the group out of the tunnel before receiving veterinary care.
Officers Found Roo Huddled Beside the Tracks
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An official Facebook video shows Animal Control Officers Bri Borg and Stephanie Pone searching the tunnel with flashlights. The officers found Roo huddled against a wall near the tracks. He was initially terrified when he saw them, according to San Francisco Animal Care and Control, but soon appeared happy to be leaving.
Caltrain spokesperson Dan Lieberman told the San Francisco Chronicle that he could not recall another live dog being rescued from a tunnel during his nine years with the transit agency.
Dogs typically avoid train tunnels because of the noise, Lieberman explained. Roo’s ability to remain beside the tracks without being struck made his survival especially remarkable.
Roo’s Microchip Helped Reunite Him With His Owner
Roo’s owner had already contacted animal control and was searching for him before crews reported the tunnel sighting. Bay Area public media outlet KQED reported that Roo was unsteady after going without food and water.
Officers brought him to SAGE Veterinary Centers, where he was examined and cleared the same day. A scan of Roo’s registered microchip helped animal control officers identify his owner. The two were reunited after Roo received a clean bill of health.
Animal control spokesperson Deb Campbell said the agency frequently finds microchipped animals whose owners never registered their contact information. A chip can only help reunite a missing pet with its family when its registration remains accurate and up to date.