Train stops just in time before hitting a dog that had been chained to the tracks after driver spots the animal and hits the brakes
- The shocking video shows driver stopping in the nick of time and saving the dog
- The scared pooch ran away after the driver freed it from the rail it was chained to
- The local mayor of the Chilean town said a police investigation had been started
A train driver slammed on the brakes after spotting a terrified dog chained to the tracks – and stopped just in time before getting out to help the animal.
Video footage of the incident, in Chile, shows the driver of the massive orange locomotive climbing down from the cab and heading towards the panicked dog.
‘How can there be people so bad, who leave little dogs tied up on the tracks,’ the driver is heard to say.
The locomotive stops mere yards from where the dog is chained to the tracks and the driver approaches in these stills from the shocking video
‘You cannot do that. I hope someday the human race changes.’
The dog, clearly terrified from what can be seen, can be heard barking and growling as it pulls on the chain in a bid to escape.
Local media reported that the driver released the pooch and it ran away from the scene immediately.
The incident took place in the town and commune of Llay-Llay, in the central Chilean region of Valparaiso and the video that was posted online has received over 137,000 views.
The Llay-Llay municipal council confirmed that a criminal complaint for animal abuse will be filed against those who tied the dog up. An investigation has since been launched.
These stills form the video show the train halted on the tracks as the driver approaches the poor dog chained to a rail
‘We are shocked by the cruelty seen in our society,’ said Llay-Llay Mayor Edgardo Gonzalez.
‘We condemn and reject this incident against a defenceless animal, and we are thankful for the behaviour of the driver who saved its life.
‘As a municipality, we are taking the actions that need to be done [and are filing] a criminal complaint against the culprits and we also contacted the driver to offer our help to give this little dog the veterinary attention and other things it needs.
‘We will also find a way of putting the little dog up for adoption.’
Concerned social media user Catalina Arriaza Bustos said: ‘Poor little dog, how can anyone be so cruel? Thanks sir for stopping the train and helping this beautiful animal, God bless you.’
It is unclear what happened to the dog. It is also unclear if the train was a cargo train or a passenger train.
These stills form the shocking video show the dog left cruelly chained to a railway line in Chile