When a concerned caller reached out to San Antonio Animal Care Services about a dog stuck on a train track, there was no time to waste. The situation sounded urgent.
A yellow Labrador was lying dangerously close to the rails, and no one could say whether this was an accident or something more deliberate.
The Dire Situation
Officer Edwards from the animal care team rushed to the location. As he approached, he saw the dog trembling on the tracks.
What shocked him even more was the leash—it wasn’t just tangled. It had been nailed to the metal track, tightening around the pup’s neck whenever he tried to move. The dog, frightened and unsure of who to trust, stayed completely still.
Officer Edwards knew there wasn’t much time. Gently and carefully, he moved closer and used a catch pole to get hold of the dog.
Just as he freed the leash from the rail, a low rumble filled the air. A train was coming fast. With seconds to spare, he lifted the dog and rushed them both out of harm’s way.
A Safe Haven
Safely away from the tracks, the dog clung to Officer Edwards as the train sped by behind them. He was later taken to the shelter, where he was given a full health check, some food, and a comfortable place to rest.
The team named him Lucky, fitting for a pup who had just narrowly escaped tragedy.
At first, Lucky was shy and hesitant, but once he realized he was safe, his personality began to shine. He slowly started warming up to the people around him.
Just days after SAACS shared his story online, messages poured in from people hoping to adopt him.
A New Beginning
One man named Mr. C saw Lucky’s story and felt an instant connection.
After visiting the shelter and spending time with him, Mr. C knew this dog was the perfect match.
A short time later, Lucky officially found his forever home.
Now renamed Duke, the once-scared dog is thriving with his new dad.
Although it’s still unclear how he ended up on the tracks, what matters most is that someone saw him, someone acted, and Duke now has a life filled with safety, comfort, and love.