Dog Struck by Commuter Rail Train Rescued, Named ‘Charlie’

photo via the MSPCA

A dog rescued from the tracks after an MBTA commuter rail train ran over its leg is now in the care of the MSPCA, which has named it “Charlie” and is now hoping it can find a new home.

An MBTA maintenance worker discovered the one-year-old female Shih-Tzu injured between the Roslindale Village and Forest Hills stops on Thursday and brought it to safety, the MSPCA says. After losing its leg, and about 40 percent of the blood in its body, it was in severe danger.

“It’s just astounding this dog survived,” Dr. Virginia Sinnott of Angell’s Emergency and Critical Care Unit says in a press release.  “Her left hind leg was severed above the knee—the good Samaritan brought the leg in along with the dog—and the nerves, arteries and veins were severed along with it.”

“Charlie” has been recovering for the past week at the MSPCA’s Angell Medical Center and is expected to survive. The dog has been moved to a foster home and will await adoption. Those interested can reach out by emailing adoption@mspca.org.

After $6,000 in surgeries including an amputation and two blood transfusions, the MSPCA is asking for donations via a fundraiser with the tagline “Help us help those like Charlie.”

“Charlie” isn’t the only animal to be rescued from near death on Boston’s transportation infrastructure. A state trooper also recently pulled an injured stray cat from the side of the road in the Callahan Tunnel—it’s since been named “Callahan.”