Home time for dog who caused train chaos

He caused chaos on the railways when he slipped his lead but this was the moment Alfie the dog was reunited with his owner.

Alfie slipped his collar as he tried to board a train at Victoria and fell down the gap between the carriage and the platform. As station staff tried to coax him to safety the six-year-old bichon frise brushed against a live rail and, yelping with pain, ran off down the tracks.

The next two hours saw 57 trains delayed and thousands of passengers inconvenienced as a rescue effort for Alfie began.

He was eventually found more than a mile down the track in Wandsworth and taken to Battersea Dogs Home.

Today he was back at home south of London with owner Chris Fischer.

"I am so embarrassed about what happened," said Miss Fischer. "I'm just happy he is safe and well now and that I have him back.

"I was absolutely frantic with worry. I thought I might have lost him forever. Eventually I just had to go back home and hope for the best."

Miss Fischer had taken Alfie for a walk in central London, and was on her way home when the accident happened. Incredibly, Alfie was virtually unscathed by his ordeal. Vets treated him with a mild painkiller for some cuts and bruises.

"Considering what Alfie has been through it is quite amazing he has not been seriously hurt," said Liz Emeny of the dogs home. "He does not even have a burn mark and the worst of it is that he needs a good wash."

Miss Fischer found Alfie after calling the Lost Dogs and Cats Line. Their database meant she was reunited with Alfie within 24 hours.

"I am so very grateful for the work of Battersea Dogs Home and the lost pets hotline," added Miss Fischer.