Dog Takes the Subway Every Day, Authorities Put a Tracker on Him

While exploring Istanbul, one may encounter many sights such as a vendor selling delectable deep-fried pastries, stunning architectural structures, or even an unaccompanied dog riding the train.

A solitary canine had been regularly boarding public transportation, including trams and trains, unaccompanied for several months, arousing curiosity among the local residents about its activities. As a result, they decided to notify the authorities so that they could closely monitor the dog. However, they were completely unprepared for the destination to which the dog guided them.

Passenger Pooch

In late summer 2021, individuals began to observe an unexpected guest accompanying them throughout their urban expeditions. A friendly canine frequently accompanied the people, maintaining his own space and riding alongside them as if he were simply another traveler.

As people observed the dog appearing often, they became curious about the dog’s origin as they observed it appearing frequently.

A Mystery

The dog perplexed all those in its vicinity. He would wander without a collar, unaccompanied by another individual guiding him from one train to another.

Each morning, he would consistently appear, moving from one location to another, as if he genuinely had specific destinations in mind and possessed precise knowledge on how to get them. However, he appeared to be entirely solitary. Concerns arose about the dog’s owner’s whereabouts and the location of his residence.

Spotted Everywhere

The dog never appeared to be anticipating an owner’s arrival to retrieve him. Instead, he would autonomously and effortlessly utilize transportation. He frequently used the metro, tram line, and even the ferries!

During the intervals between his journeys, he spent time at the train stations. Assuming favorable weather conditions, the dog would lie stretched out outdoors, absorbing the heat from the sun. In the event of cold and rainy weather, he would seek shelter within the stations. Onlookers were puzzled by the dog’s unusual behavior.

Getting On and Off the Train

The dog garnered significant attention upon boarding and disembarking the train. Merely via observation, passengers might discern his competence.

He positions himself on the edge of the platform, and upon sensing the train’s vibrations, he swiftly moves to the furthest point of the platform and proceeds to follow the train, ultimately positioning himself at the entrance. “He possesses precise knowledge of the door locations,” stated Chris McGrath, a Getty Images photographer who closely monitored the canine for a whole day, in an interview with CNN.

Contacting the Authorities

People became concerned when they couldn’t identify the owner of the lone dog frequenting the subway system. Despite the pup’s lack of disruptive behavior or disturbance to other passengers, it raised concerns among people, primarily regarding its presence.

After observing the dog’s ability to navigate the transit system for several months, the public concluded that their next course of action should be to call the authorities in order to ensure the dog’s well-being. Unbeknownst to them, the authorities had already become aware of the roaming pup.

Public Transportation Gets Involved

The Public Transportation Department received notification about a lost dog on the train. Aylin Erol, the customer relations manager at Metro Istanbul, informed CNN that they had seen the dog a few months earlier and had been closely monitoring him since then.

Erol could discern that the puppy possessed unique qualities. Two months ago, we observed a dog attempting to utilize our trams, metros, and trains with a clear understanding of its destination and exit points. “It was rather intriguing, and we have commenced to track his activities,” he informed CNN.

Taking Him to the Vet

Fascinated by the dog, public transit officials kept a close eye on him, but they went beyond mere observation. The transportation officers developed a sense of protectiveness toward him, and rather than expelling the dog or contacting animal control for his removal, they felt compelled to provide him with care.

Due to the evident lack of ownership, the officials assumed responsibility for transporting the dog to a veterinarian facility for routine health examinations. Their discovery was unexpected.