Dog dragged hundreds of feet by light rail train at North Phoenix stop

PHOENIX - A dog was dragged hundreds of feet and severely injured at a North Phoenix light rail stop near Rose Mofford Park.

What we know:

The dog, named Happy, was wearing a body harness on Oct. 6 when the doors of the light rail shut, trapping his leash. Happy was dragged and started bleeding while his owner shouted and cried out.

"I just panicked. I started freaking, like my dog's outside, my dog's outside,' Happy's owner, Sarah Bass, said. 

Bass said she was trying to get off the light rail when she dropped a few of her belongings. As she was picking them up, Happy ran off the platform, as the doors closed on his leash. 

"I was picturing shredded up dog and guts all over the light rail. I thought I lost my baby," Bass said. "He was pretty traumatized. He was bleeding a lot. We had to wrap him up in blankets."

Happy suffered several injuries across his body. Images have been blurred due to its graphic nature. 

Trying to Stop the Train:

Bass pressed the emergency button, while someone else pulled the emergency string. Despite witnesses trying to alert the driver, it took time before the light rail came to a halt.

"Their safety features, they're failing. What if that had been a child? What if it had been an old person?" Bass said. 

Bass said she tried talking to the driver afterward, but didn't get any information.

"It didn't seem right because they took off right afterwards. It was the scene of an accident regardless of what anybody says," she said. 

What they're saying:

An anonymous witness who saw the incident told FOX 10 that nobody from Valley Metro tried to help.  

"Luckily, it was an animal and not a child. Two, it was a major safety concern. Three, the Department of Transportation regulations and anyone involved in a major incident or accident such as involving a commercial vehicle, which that technically is, should remain on the scene," the anonymous witness said. 

Valley Metro releases a statement on Oct. 12

"We are sorry to hear of this incident and glad to hear that Happy will make a full recovery. The emergency call button inside the vehicle directly alerts the train operator and the door release stops the train automatically. In this case, while the operator was responding to a passenger at the emergency call button, another passenger deployed the door release stopping the train. The operator was consistent with protocol, with additional supervision and emergency services also being called to support the scene.

"It is also worth noting, per our code of conduct, and to ensure the safety of all, including our animals, all animals (except service animals) must be carried inside an enclosed and secured cage or carrying case small enough to fit on a rider’s lap, and must not endanger or disturb other passengers. Service animals that are trained to assist an individual with a disability are welcome on board Valley Metro and must always be under the control of their handlers."

Happy Ending:

Bass got in contact with the organization, Dogs Day Out AZ, which paid for Happy's $3,000 vet bill. 

"She helped us get into a shelter so that Happy didn't have to be on the streets, so I owe her my life," Bass said. "This is my baby."

Happy was subsequently treated by a veterinarian and is doing better. The dog should make a full recovery. 

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