CONNECTICUT, USA — An Uncasville dog is lucky to be alive after getting hit by a train last week. The 12-year-old pitbull, named Dusta, wandered off a mile from his home after his tether in the backyard broke.
Owner Keisha Everett tried what she could to find him, until they got a call the next day.
“They were saying we found your dog and I was like, ‘oh my God. Yay!’ And they were like, ‘but he was hit by a train,’ so my heart just sank. I was crying,” she said.
RELATED: Attorney General William Tong seeks state custody of animals seized from Hebron Animal Rescue
Waterford-East Lyme Animal control said his tether got tangled by the train tracks. While the operator slammed the brakes, the train couldn’t stop in time and Dusta was hit. Amazingly, the dog got up. Animal control rushed him to the vet where he went into surgery.
Sign up for the FOX61 newsletters: Morning Forecast, Morning Headlines, Evening Headlines
“The bone that connects your bottom jaw right here, he broke that so they put a wire,” she said. “He has staples in the top of your head.”
One week later, the scrapes are still there, but Dusta is in good spirits. The family expects Dusta’s vet bills will cost more than 4,000 dollars.
“He went through all of that. He’s 12 so he’s older,” she added. “But then he came home after his surgery, still his normal self.”
He was originally her father’s dog, but Everett took him in about a year ago.
RELATED: Attorney General William Tong seeks state custody of animals seized from Hebron Animal Rescue
“We grew up with him,” she said. “He’s always been the sweetest dog and it didn’t change him at all.”
Everett is grateful for help from the train engineer and conductor of the train, who found Dusta alive and kept him company.
“He got out and stayed with our dog until animal control got there,” she said. “I don’t blame him at all. He was the sweetest guy ever.”
Animal Control is reminding families who have wire tether systems to check for cracked plastic or rust, which can cause weak spots.
As for Everett and her family, they are glad to have Dusta back.
“It feels amazing, everyone keeps saying he’s the luckiest dog but I feel like we are the luckiest family,” she said.
Dusta will have to go back to get some more care from the veterinarian. His family has set up a GoFundMe account to help with some of those payments.
GoFundMe link: https://gofund.me/431254c0
Elisha Machado is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at emachado@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.