Fayette County Humane Society responds for dog rescue

As daylight was beginning to break on Thursday, March 24, the Fayette County Humane Society received a call from the Washington Court House Police Department in reference to a dog hit by a train.

The police dispatcher stated that the dog was under the train engine on the trestle over Paint Creek. Before humane officers arrived to the scene, the Sheriff's Office was called to alert the dog warden.

Humane Officer Brad Adams and Danyel Bageant arrived and began coordinating a plan for the safety of the dog and themselves before walking onto the trestle.

Officer Adams requested Animal Care Technician Bobbi Honicker to respond, should additional equipment be needed for the rescue. The train engineer was also requested to shut down the engine to reduce noise and stress to the dog.

Humane officers walked onto the narrow metal grated bridge along the trestle to get to the dog. Officer Bageant was able to place a leash around the black and white pit bull and managed to pull him out from under the engine to safety.

"The dog got up and began walking without any injuries, wagging his tail," said Adams. "He must have laid down on the track as the train got close to avoid getting hit or contact between the front of the train and the dog was minimal."

The dog was transported to the Fayette County Dog Shelter where he was further assessed.

"I just prayed and relied on the grace of God" said Bageant.

The Fayette Humane Society is a non-profit (501(c)(3), volunteer organization. They receive less than 2% of their support from governmental organizations and therefore must rely on donations, grants and fundraising to carry out their mission. The Humane Society is the only organization in Fayette County able to respond to calls about abused and neglected and domestic animals, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.