Dramatic Rescue Brings Missing Dog Home Safe
In a heartwarming display of dedication, NYPD officers successfully rescued a small black dog named Moose who had become trapped beneath a subway train in Manhattan. The frightening ordeal began when Moose slipped away from his owners at the 14th Street station, where he was unfortunately struck by a northbound 2 train before seeking shelter underneath one of the cars. Despite the dangerous circumstances, the NYPD Special Operations Emergency Service Unit quickly mobilized to save the terrified animal from what could have been a tragic ending.
Body camera footage released by the NYPD captured the tense rescue operation as it unfolded. An officer can be seen carefully descending onto the subway tracks via ladder, flashlight in hand, searching intently for the missing dog. “Where is it?” the officer asks before finally spotting Moose hiding in the shadows beneath the train. With gentle encouragement—”Come here. Come on. Come on, buddy”—the officer managed to gain the frightened dog’s trust in those critical moments. The video shows the careful approach that was necessary to ensure both Moose’s safety and that of the responding officers in such a precarious environment.
The climactic moment of the rescue came when the officer successfully scooped up Moose and carried him away from the dangerous tracks. In a touching scene that exemplifies the compassion behind the badge, the officer carefully lifted the small dog up to waiting colleagues on the subway platform. Expressions of relief can be heard on the video, with someone exclaiming “Yay!” as Moose reached safety. The small dog, likely traumatized but remarkably resilient, was immediately showered with affection by the officers who had worked so diligently to save him—a moment of tenderness amid the usual hustle and bustle of New York City’s subway system.
The NYPD later shared news of the successful rescue on social media, posting to X (formerly Twitter): “When Moose the dog got loose and went hiding underneath a 2 train, our [NYPD Special Ops Emergency Service Unit] officers came to the rescue.” In a subsequent update that brought closure to the story, they added, “Thanks to [NYPD Transit] officers, Moose was safely reunited with its owner!” This happy resolution highlights the range of situations to which New York’s finest respond—from major crimes to the rescue of beloved family pets in distress, demonstrating the department’s commitment to serving all members of the community, including its four-legged residents.
This rescue is not an isolated incident of the NYPD going above and beyond for animals in danger. Earlier this year, officers performed a similar act of heroism when they rescued a small dog spotted swimming in the East River. These incidents showcase a side of law enforcement that often goes unnoticed in daily news coverage—officers risking their safety to help vulnerable animals in desperate situations. Such rescues require specialized training, quick thinking, and genuine compassion, qualities that were on full display during Moose’s subway ordeal.
While the dramatic rescue had a happy ending, it serves as a reminder to pet owners about the importance of secure leashes and vigilance, especially in urban environments like New York City with its many potential hazards. Moose’s adventure could have ended very differently without the quick response of the NYPD officers who located him beneath the train and carefully executed his rescue. Now safely back with his grateful owners, Moose has become another success story in the annals of NYPD animal rescues—a small black dog whose subway misadventure captured hearts and highlighted the everyday heroism of New York’s police officers who serve all members of the community, regardless of species.
