A 2-year-old pit bull mix named Roo was safely reunited with his grateful guardian after spending nearly two days inside a dark San Francisco train tunnel, according to local news.
Roo had only recently been adopted when he got spooked and ran off, prompting his guardian to contact San Francisco Animal Care and Control for help.
As efforts to locate the missing dog continued, Caltrain operators spotted him inside the tunnel but initially believed he was dead.
The following day, however, a driver saw him move and realized he was alive. Still, operators feared Roo had been struck and injured by a train because he remained almost completely motionless.
Two SFACC officers then entered the tunnel alongside Caltrain staff, using their phones as flashlights to navigate the darkness. They found the frightened dog lying against a wall, but he was thankfully uninjured.
After placing a leash on Roo, the officers led him safely into the daylight and away from the danger of passing trains.
While he had some trouble walking and reportedly had nothing to eat or drink during his ordeal, officers took him to a clinic, and an examination showed he had avoided severe dehydration and was well enough to leave later that day.
Fortunately, Roo was also microchipped, allowing SFACC to contact his guardian and bring the two back together.
Lady Freethinker applauds the SFACC officers and Caltrain staff whose efforts led to Roo’s rescue and reunion with his guardian.
His story is an important reminder to microchip animal companions and keep their registration information current so shelters and animal control agencies can quickly contact guardians when missing animals are found.
