August 29, 2005
LONDON: When Archie the black labrador lost his owner on a lonely Scottish station, he proved his well-trained pedigree and jumped aboard the first train headed for home.
Not only did the dog catch the right train, he got off at the right station, The Mail on Sunday newspaper said yesterday.
Owner Mike Taitt lost sight of Archie at Inverurie station, near Aberdeen in eastern Scotland, and was hoping someone would spot his tag and return the much-loved mutt. "He is a very intelligent dog," Mr Taitt said.
"When he could not find me, he simply took the right train home. He's been on that train before. I am convinced he knew it was the right one. But who knows?"
Closed-circuit television footage shows the dog waiting for his master at the station before watching the Aberdeen to Inverness train pull in.
Unable to find his owner, the black labrador decided to avoid a long walk home by catching the 8.38pm service. He got out at the right stop, Insch, 12 minutes along the line, to the bemusement of signalman Derek Hope.
"There was a train conductor standing with Archie on the platform saying he had got on at Inverurie but didn't have a ticket," Mr Hope said.
Two police forces, the national rail operating system and the local train service have logged the incident.
AFP
