TRAIN services in Croydon were dogged by delays when a dog owner ran on to the line to catch his pet pooch.
The dog jumped onto the tracks at Norwood Junction station at around 8.30pm on Monday.
It had been with three young men who were waiting on the platform, a least one of whom is understood to have followed the dog on to the track to look for him.
Three services were delayed while staff from Network Rail tried to retrieve the animal.
Other trains travelling through the station were slowed down while the search continued without success.
A passenger on a train held at the station told the Advertiser: "My commute home is often dogged by delays – but this was the first time it was delayed by a dog.
"It wasn't clear from the driver's announcement, but it sounded like one of the dog's owners might have tried to get under the train to get it out.
"I often take my own dogs on train journeys and this was a real reminder about how important it is to keep pets under control on the platform."
A spokesman for Network Rail said: "We were called to reports of three people trying to retrieve a dog that had gone onto the railway.
"There were delays to services as a result. We understand that some of these young people might have gone on the track to look for the dog.
"Our staff tried to locate the dog but it was never found."
Normal service resumed through the station at 9.30pm.
A spokesman added: "If your dog does go on the track, our staff will do their best to help. Please do not follow it."
