Stopping a train once it gets in motion is not the easiest thing in the world. Fortunately for one lost dog, Howard Kempton had gotten word that a lost dog had been spotted on the tracks. So, Kempton, a conductor for the New Jersey Transit, was on the lookout as his train left the South Orange Station.

Kempton kept a lookout for the lost dog

On the lookout as the train went down the track, Kempton saw the poor, lost dog and was able to stop the train. Running onto the tracks, he soon realized he had another problem; he had no leash with which to get the dog to the safety of the train. That was when Kempton had an idea. Taking off his tie, he made a makeshift leash that did the trick.

A picture is posted of the heroic conductor and dog

Once back on the train, a passenger took a picture of the pair. In the photo, you can see the heroic Kempton holding the end of his makeshift leash. The passenger posted about the incident on her Instagram account, adding the caption:

“When your @njtransit conductor halts all trains to sprint after a lost dog on the tracks, then forfeits his tie to make her a leash.”

Finding the dog’s owner

As the train continued on its route, a passenger was able to check the dog’s ID tag. They found out that the dog’s name was Shelby and the number for her owner, which they quickly called. Shelby’s owner, Judy Karamessinis Gunn was overjoyed to hear that Shelby had been found and was okay. She had been hiking at the nearby South Mountain Reservation when Shelby ran away after her leash broke.

“I looked for her for two hours before I got the call,” Gunn said on Facebook. “You are heroes and I’m forever grateful.”

NJ Transit posts a photo about Kempton and his heroics

NJ Transit also posted a photo to the company’s Facebook about Kempton’s heroic actions. The post has received over 3,000 like so far. Gunn’s daughter, Allison, also commented on the photo where she thanked Kempton for his quick thinking.

“That is my parents’ dog, Shelby, and she is safe and sound! Thank you so much Howard and NJ Transit for saving her! We are beyond grateful.”

Kempton responds to the family’s praise

Kempton is an animal lover having a dog of his own, which he returned to after work that day. Kempton had a humble response to the praise for the family:

“You’re [sic] welcome. I’m glad I was at the right spot at the right time. I must say I couldn’t have done it without the South Orange police officer who pointed out to my Engineer Mike B. that there was a dog in [sic] the tracks and then informed me and the State Trooper who also assisted me tracking her down.”

Without Kempton’s quick action, Shelby could have been injured or even killed. Here is a video with more on Kempton’s heroic act.

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Source: CBS Philly