ACCT Philly, the city's open-admission shelter, received a call on Sunday about a dog trapped high up on a SEPTA train platform. The dog, later named Dottie, was huddled in a corner on an unfenced ledge, facing a "several-story drop" of nearly 12 meters.
"It really is a miracle that she didn't fall from the platform," said Sarah Barnett, executive director of ACCT Philly. Officials believe Dottie jumped onto the tracks at a previous stop and ran along the line before being startled by an approaching train. Trapped and trembling, she was eventually reached through a rescue effort involving SEPTA and local police, who provided a crane to lift an ACCT Philly officer up to her level. Despite fears she might jump, Dottie allowed the officer to leash her and was brought to safety. Dottie is currently at the ACCT shelter undergoing a 48-hour stray hold period.
If no owner claims her tonight, she will be transferred to Street Tails Animal Rescue to find a permanent home. Although Dottie's dramatic rescue could generate interest in her adoption, Barnett is using the moment to highlight the thousands of other animals in need. "Everyone wants to adopt this dog because she has this incredible story," Barnett said. "But there are thousands of dogs like her. You can ensure her story has a happy ending by adopting."