A Dundee railway worker has stepped in to save the life of a lost dog.
Duncan McKenna (38) rescued the troubled pooch from the track near Broughty Ferry just minutes before a train arrived on the stretch.
Known as Rocco, the Staffordshire bull terrier had already come close to meeting its maker just minutes before, after dicing with an oncoming locomotive.
However, thanks to Duncan and his Network Rail colleagues, the dog is now safely in kennels awaiting its owner or the prospect of being rehomed.
Speaking about Friday’s rescue, Duncan said: “We were doing routine maintenance near the Grassy Beach area. It was about 10am and we just noticed a dog walking past us while we were working.
“I knew a train was due so we were trying to stay back from the line as it was. After it had gone past I admit that I was surprised to see the dog still there and I knew that another train was meant to be coming.
“A woman who was walking her own dog on the path gave us some dog biscuits and we used those to get him to safety.”
After guiding Rocco away from the tracks he showed no signs of trauma as he scampered down the path. After a generous dog walker provided a lead with which to control, it was up to Duncan to chase and capture Rocco while waiting for the dog warden to arrive.
Rocco is now at Brown Street Kennels. And while Mr McKenna is unable to take him in, he hopes he finds a home.
“A lot of people seem to be frightened of Staffies because of their teeth, but he was a lovely wee pooch,” he said. “I just hope that he’s okay.”