Pet dog causes train disruption during rush hour

Train services were brought to a halt during the morning rush hour on Tuesday when a pet dog got off its lead and ran into a tunnel in St Leonards, East Sussex.

At 08:45 GMT it was announced to train passengers that there would be delays on the line to London via Tunbridge Wells due to efforts to rescue the dog.

Trains on the route from the East Sussex coast were delayed for more than 30 minutes.

The power had to be switched off during the rescue operation, Southeastern said.

Southeastern posted on X: "Because of a dog on the railway at St Leonards Warrior Square, trains between Battle and Hastings are being delayed.

"Response team are on site, power to part of the railway has been switched off while they work to retrieve the dog."

Southeastern later confirmed that the dog had been "safely retrieved" from the track.

It added the dog has been reunited with its owner.

Southeastern says services have now returned to normal.

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