A man was fatally dragged Wednesday after his dog’s leash got caught in the doors of a train in Virginia.
Surveillance footage shows the unidentified man stepping onto the Dunn Loring Metro platform with his dog’s leash tied to him, as reported by WUSA. A spokesperson for WMATA said the operator’s cabin was about 450 feet away from the victim when two safe door checks were performed before departing.
The dog remained inside the train when the doors closed and left the station. The man was unable to free himself from the leash. He was ultimately dragged off the platform and onto the tracks. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
In a statement from the Metro Transit Police, the dog did not appear to be a service animal, which, according to the company’s website, is the only animal that is allowed to board the train “provided it is carried aboard in a secure container from which it cannot escape.” The dog is currently with the police.
“The WMSC is aware of a safety event in the area of Dunn Loring Station,” the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission said in a statement. “An investigation is underway in accordance with the WMSC Program Standard.”
A report from the WMSC shows there have been a dozen door-related incidents over the last few years.
