Dog Leaps onto Tracks, Berlin Underground Shuts Down

March 20, 2001 Berlin, Germany

Rail lines at Spittelmarkt station were shut down for over an hour Monday when a confused Alsatian (German shepherd) jumped onto the U-Bahn tracks and hid under a train that was in service.

The dog miraculously escaped electrocution on the high-voltage lines, and station authorities were immediately alerted to the situation.

Terrified passengers looked on as the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (Berlin Transport Corporation) authorities slowly backed the train away from the platform.

The frightened pooch was then coaxed out of hiding and captured.  After taking the dog to a nearby dog home, rescuers were able to locate the owner and unite the two.

Just months away from its 100th anniversary, the BVG aims to make the U-Bahn the safest and most efficient rail system in the world.

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