Anonymous wrote:NBC4 says: the leash was tied around the man’s waist. They were in the 6th car. The man got out of the train but the dog remained inside the car. Operator did two door checks. All confirmed on video.

Family claiming it was a service dog. But I’ve never seemed a service dog that was on a very long leash or that wasn’t next to the owner.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/metro-rider-dies-after-being-dragged-by-train/3280412/

It must have been a long leash. The train operator generally won't move a train if you're on the light part of the platform.

I love how able bodied people think they know better about what constitutes a service dog.

If you don't know this poor victim personally, you don't know the truth about this particular dog. I certainly don't.

But regardless of the truth in this particular case, your speculating hurts people with service animals because you're making assumptions that simply aren't true. Stop.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:According to Fox5 the daughter of the victim told them that that the dog was wearing a service dog vest but now we know that the dog was just a pet. He was able to bring that dog on the train because of the vest.

There is no way that the operator of the train can see a leash despite safety checks. There is a reason why metro wants riders to keep their pets secured in a carrier.

It is a tragic accident.

A FAKE service vest?

But you knew it wasn’t a service animal because they are trained to stay close to owner — no way it would have lingered behind like this.

You can very easily buy a fake service vest. https://www.amazon.com/s?k=service+dog+vest

NBC4 says: the leash was tied around the man’s waist. They were in the 6th car. The man got out of the train but the dog remained inside the car. Operator did two door checks. All confirmed on video.

Family claiming it was a service dog. But I’ve never seemed a service dog that was on a very long leash or that wasn’t next to the owner.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/metro-rider-dies-after-being-dragged-by-train/3280412/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was not a service dog. Read the latest news stories.

Then what was it doing on the Metro?

I’m reading that he has been identified by his family and they’re saying it was a service dog. So conflicting reports. He exited the train but dog was still inside the train on the leash which doesn’t make sense for a typical service dog. WMATA claims the operator did the appropriate check before leaving the station which is shown on video. Whatever the case, it’s a terrible situation and I’m very sorry someone died.

I can't envision a scenario where a service dog would be separated from its owner while exiting a train. Every service dog I've seen on metro is right next to their owner during train exits, and not far enough away to be separated by just a leash.
That said, having a leash tethered to you without a breakaway option is a horrible idea no matter what the situation (as discussed above).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was not a service dog. Read the latest news stories.

Then what was it doing on the Metro?

I’m reading that he has been identified by his family and they’re saying it was a service dog. So conflicting reports. He exited the train but dog was still inside the train on the leash which doesn’t make sense for a typical service dog. WMATA claims the operator did the appropriate check before leaving the station which is shown on video. Whatever the case, it’s a terrible situation and I’m very sorry someone died.

If it was a service dog it would have been wearing an appropriately labeled vest. The original article said they didn’t believe it was a service dog. They would have known for sure if it was wearing its identification.

Anonymous wrote:According to Fox5 the daughter of the victim told them that that the dog was wearing a service dog vest but now we know that the dog was just a pet. He was able to bring that dog on the train because of the vest.

There is no way that the operator of the train can see a leash despite safety checks. There is a reason why metro wants riders to keep their pets secured in a carrier.

It is a tragic accident.

A FAKE service vest?

But you knew it wasn’t a service animal because they are trained to stay close to owner — no way it would have lingered behind like this.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was not a service dog. Read the latest news stories.

Then what was it doing on the Metro?

I’m reading that he has been identified by his family and they’re saying it was a service dog. So conflicting reports. He exited the train but dog was still inside the train on the leash which doesn’t make sense for a typical service dog. WMATA claims the operator did the appropriate check before leaving the station which is shown on video. Whatever the case, it’s a terrible situation and I’m very sorry someone died.

It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out. It just doesn’t make sense for the owner to be that far away from the service dog. Maybe it was an “emotional support animal” that they are claiming was a service dog? Time will tell.

Anonymous wrote:

What difference would it make if he were? Would that make it acceptable for him to be dragged to his death?


A service animal should be wearing a special harness identifying it as a service dog as well as a special handle/leash. If this dog was an actual service dog, it should have been wearing these, which from the descriptions/media of the accident it doesn't appear the dog was.

I think many people immediately assumed it was a blind or visually impaired person with a seeing eye dog, but those are usually not led by a leash. I don't think you can make any assumptions re whether it was a dog walker, someone who is homeless on the metro with their dog, etc. And I don't believe the fact that it wasn't a service dog means the metro wasn't at fault, but this happened in Virginia, which is a contributory negligent state. The man brought an unauthorized dog on the metro. Had it not been for this dog, and the leash attached to both the dog and the person. the man should be alive. How long was the leash? I am very sad someone died, and I wish it had never happened and I hope it never happens again.

Thanks for your response, but it is not relevant to the issue of whether the man was unhoused, which is the comment I was referring to.

Family said he’s not homeless. Leave your agenda.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This was not a service dog. Read the latest news stories.

Then what was it doing on the Metro?

I’m reading that he has been identified by his family and they’re saying it was a service dog. So conflicting reports. He exited the train but dog was still inside the train on the leash which doesn’t make sense for a typical service dog. WMATA claims the operator did the appropriate check before leaving the station which is shown on video. Whatever the case, it’s a terrible situation and I’m very sorry someone died.

Anonymous wrote:This was not a service dog. Read the latest news stories.

Then what was it doing on the Metro?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How tragic.

I wonder if the door was faulty. They won't usually close if something is detected being in the way.

Metro doors aren't elevator doors, they close on things, arms, legs, people.

gosh but haven't you been on a packed train and the doors will. not. close because someone is breathing on it, and they try over and over and the operator threatens us all to step away from the doors or they will unload the train? They seem sensitive to me.

DP. "Breathing on it"? I know that's exaggeration for effect, but come on, PP. Read the Post article, which clearly points out that Metro doors will not shut if something of a certain size "like a body part" is in them, but smaller thin items like a leash, or a scarf as another PP mentioned? The doors will shut on those.

What difference would it make if he were? Would that make it acceptable for him to be dragged to his death?


A service animal should be wearing a special harness identifying it as a service dog as well as a special handle/leash. If this dog was an actual service dog, it should have been wearing these, which from the descriptions/media of the accident it doesn't appear the dog was.

I think many people immediately assumed it was a blind or visually impaired person with a seeing eye dog, but those are usually not led by a leash. I don't think you can make any assumptions re whether it was a dog walker, someone who is homeless on the metro with their dog, etc. And I don't believe the fact that it wasn't a service dog means the metro wasn't at fault, but this happened in Virginia, which is a contributory negligent state. The man brought an unauthorized dog on the metro. Had it not been for this dog, and the leash attached to both the dog and the person. the man should be alive. How long was the leash? I am very sad someone died, and I wish it had never happened and I hope it never happens again.

Thanks for your response, but it is not relevant to the issue of whether the man was unhoused, which is the comment I was referring to.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are many different types of real service dogs, not just for blind people. The take that it couldn’t be a service dog is premature.

Seizure, diabetic, and PTSD dogs aren’t necessarily obvious but can be lifesaving.

But who ties themselves to their dog? That’s such a weird thing that it makes it seem more likely it was a service dog to me.

The photo of the idiot with the dog leash around his body is exactly what NOT to do. I've read so many times over the years: You never tie a leash to yourself, or wrap it around your wrist; if the dog gets spooked and bolts, you could be pulled to the ground, and/or dragged, or break a wrist or arm. Now we also know: You could end up dragged in other ways too, due to being attached to your dog. And for any dog owner who says, but I need it to be sure my dog doesn't pull the leash out of my hand and run away: Your dog needs better training to learn not to pull and not to be so reactive. Period. If you cannot manage that training and cannot have a dog on a leash without thinking you need to tie it to you, you should not have a dog at all.

Of course, there are the joggers and (yeah, I've seen this) bikers who tie their dogs to them so they can have their hands free while they jog or bike. They think they're multitasking, getting in exercise and walking the dog at the same time. Just--nuts.

It's so sad this one person died unnecessarily. If anything good comes of this terrible accident, maybe it will be that people will think twice before tying the dog to themselves.

Still glad the dogs ok!