Dogs on trains?

[GlitterUnicorn]

What are the rules about Dogs on trains?

It's never something I really thought much about before, but I was on a train earlier where passengers brought a large dog on board, and half way through the journey it started barking incredibly loudly. Not a huge problem but as you'd imagine loud dogs are kinda disturbing, and if I were any closer it might have been kinda intimidating.

 

[Flying Claret]

What are the rules about Dogs on trains?

It's never something I really thought much about before, but I was on a train earlier where passengers brought a large dog on board, and half way through the journey it started barking incredibly loudly. Not a huge problem but as you'd imagine loud dogs are kinda disturbing, and if I were any closer it might have been kinda intimidating.

Couldn't possibly be more intimidating than the Yorkshire stag/hen do express from Leeds to Blackpoo on a Friday afternoon.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Couldn't possibly be more intimidating than the Yorkshire stag/hen do express from Leeds to Blackpoo on a Friday afternoon.

Absolutely this. I'm not even a dog person, but I know which I'd rather share a crowded carriage with!

 

[Fawkes Cat]

What are the rules about Dogs on trains?

It's never something I really thought much about before, but I was on a train earlier where passengers brought a large dog on board, and half way through the journey it started barking incredibly loudly. Not a huge problem but as you'd imagine loud dogs are kinda disturbing, and if I were any closer it might have been kinda intimidating.

Byelaw 16 starts:

16. Control of animals
(1) An Operator may refuse carriage or entry to any animal.
(2) No person shall bring an animal on to the railway without a valid ticket for that animal, if an Operator requires him to have a valid ticket for the carriage of such an animal.
(3) Except with permission from an Operator or an authorised person, no person shall bring an animal on to the railway, which, in the opinion of an authorised person may threaten, annoy, soil or damage any person or property.
(4) If any person in charge of an animal in breach of Byelaw 16(1), 16(2) or 16(3) is asked by an authorised person to remove that animal and fails to do so immediately, that animal may be removed by or under the direction of an authorised person.

(Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjABegQIDBAG&usg=AOvVaw39AxUgygq_DrBTrJSz8z8t)

There's also guidance at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/luggage_animals.aspx:

Transporting domestic animals by train
Customers may take with them, free of charge (and subject to conditions below) dogs, cats and other small animals (maximum two per passenger for free) provided they do not endanger or inconvenience customers or staff.

• Dogs conveyed by train outside of the free allowance may be subject to payment of a fee of no more than 50% of the Adult fare for the journey made. Each train company is responsible for setting the charges that apply to animals conveyed in these circumstances.
• Dogs, unless contained in a basket, must be kept on a lead throughout the journey, including at stations
• Dogs without leads, cats, birds and small animals must be carried in an enclosed basket, cage or pet carrier. It must be rigid and not open (to prevent escape) and the animal able to stand and lie down in comfort
• Animals and containers must not occupy seats, otherwise a charge will be made
• On Sleeper services, animals are not allowed in restaurant cars except for assistance dogs, which are allowed into the restaurant car provided a suitable table and seat is available. However, if a table is not available, every effort will be made to serve meals at a customer’s seat or berth.
• Caledonian Sleeper allows dogs to accompany customers subject to a charge for a heavy duty clean This charge is waived for assistance animals. Customers are asked to notify Caledonian Sleeper in advance to ensure that suitable accommodation is provided for the customer. See www.sleeper.scot for details.
• Booking for all dogs travelling in Sleepers should be made in advance.

Please note: Byelaw 16 allows the train company to refuse carriage or entry to any animal, except assistance animals. If your dog or other animal causes a nuisance or inconvenience to other customers, you may be asked to remove it from the train or railway premises by the Train Company or Rail Service Company staff

So train crew are entitled to have a dog removed from a train.

 

[M7R]

We have taken our big ish hound on a number of trains, never been an issue but he is well behaved, normally sleeps under the table or we try and keep him out the aisle, half the time the guards seem surprised when they do finally notice him and normally give him a fuss...

as above would rather a dog than a roudy drunk lot or the annoying kids with no respect and loud music.

 

[Mag_seven]

So train crew are entitled to have a dog removed from a train.

I suppose that would suit a cat.

 

[rf_ioliver]

We have taken our big ish hound on a number of trains, never been an issue but he is well behaved, normally sleeps under the table or we try and keep him out the aisle, half the time the guards seem surprised when they do finally notice him and normally give him a fuss...

as above would rather a dog than a roudy drunk lot or the annoying kids with no respect and loud music.

Same here. My dog has been perfectly well behaved on trains - sits or lies down, doesn't bark and basically stays put until it is time to get off. Never had any problems. Now, humans on the other hand.....

 

[Tio Terry]

Way back in the late 1980's I was an All Stations Leather Pass holder. There were some rather strange restrictions placed on it's use at times. If I caught the 17:00 out of Liverpool St (as I often did) I could travel First Class with my dog, but the wife and children had to travel Standard!

 

[GlitterUnicorn]

Thanks for the replies, I have never had an issue with dogs on trains before really, very loud repetitive barking on an otherwise quiet train (where I was trying to rest!) was a little annoying though.

 

[O L Leigh]

We have taken our big ish hound on a number of trains, never been an issue but he is well behaved, normally sleeps under the table or we try and keep him out the aisle, half the time the guards seem surprised when they do finally notice him and normally give him a fuss...

Our dog used to do that too. She was never any trouble and most passengers were surprised to see that we'd got her when we got off the train.

She wasn't so keen on rail travel after we ran over a det on the Breckland line, though. Lying on the floor at the front of a Met Camm DMU as she was, I think she got the full force.

 

[bussikuski179]

Here in Finland we have special ”pet carriages” where people travelling with pets have to travel. If you have a pet in a non-pet carriage, you’ll be transferred to the pet carriage.

 

[Grumpy Git]

My worst nightmare is a smelly dog, (smelly humans are equally as bad).

 

[theironroad]

At least with a barking dog there is a chance that someone can calm and soothe it to stop the barking.

With many hen/stags you could ask them 100 times to keep the noise down and it will fall on deaf ears. A muzzle and gag probably wouldn't help much either to a revved up and drunk stag/hen party.

Here in Finland we have special ”pet carriages” where people travelling with pets have to travel. If you have a pet in a non-pet carriage, you’ll be transferred to the pet carriage.

That's exactly what we need in the UK.........for stag and hens parties, they could have a dedicated party carriage isolated from rest of train.

 

[furnessvale]

Byelaw 16 starts:


(Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...FjABegQIDBAG&usg=AOvVaw39AxUgygq_DrBTrJSz8z8t)

There's also guidance at https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/luggage_animals.aspx:



So train crew are entitled to have a dog removed from a train.

IF it is a nuisance or inconvenience to other passengers.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

what we need in the UK.........for stag and hens parties, they could have a dedicated party carriage isolated from rest of train.

A stretch limo and travelling by road might be even better!

Going back to the topic of canine travel, do any TOCs actually charge extra for dogs (didn't there used to be an extra cleaning charge on the Caledonian Sleeper?) or is it just heritage railways that charge?

 

[theironroad]

A stretch limo and travelling by road might be even better!

Going back to the topic of canine travel, do any TOCs charge extra for dogs (didn't there used to be an extra cleaning charge on the Caledonian Sleeper?) or is it just heritage railways that charge?

I think the sleeper still does on the grounds that the cabin has to be thoroughly cleaned in case the next occupant has allergies.

 

[alistairlees]

A stretch limo and travelling by road might be even better!

Going back to the topic of canine travel, do any TOCs charge extra for dogs (didn't there used to be an extra cleaning charge on the Caledonian Sleeper?) or is it just heritage railways that charge?

There is still a room cleaning charge on Caledonian Sleeper. It’s £30. I think it used to be more with ScotRail.

 

[London Trains]

I utterly disagree on them being allowed, many people have a fear of animals (especially dogs), and trains are run to convey human passengers from one point to another - without them sitting in fear of a fellow passenger's pet.

I fully understand why assistance dogs are needed, but I would otherwise ban all animals (excluding humans ) on trains.

 

[berwicksfinest]

I utterly disagree on them being allowed, many people have a fear of animals (especially dogs), and trains are run to convey human passengers from one point to another - without them sitting in fear of a fellow passenger's pet.

I fully understand why assistance dogs are needed, but I would otherwise ban all animals (excluding humans ) on trains.

In nearly 30 years of travelling pass in my job, I would say exactly the opposite !! animals welcome, Humans not !!!!, I have yet to see animals etch "graffiti in train windows, nor deface or otherwise trash a carriage. I have yet to see a race special/seaside special be taken out of service due to what an animal has done. I have never seen a colleague abused by an animal because of lateness/overcrowding etc.

All dogs I have seen are better behaved than most children, and indeed some adults

 

[Elecman]

In nearly 30 years of travelling pass in my job, I would say exactly the opposite !! animals welcome, Humans not !!!!, I have yet to see animals etch "graffiti in train windows, nor deface or otherwise trash a carriage. I have yet to see a race special/seaside special be taken out of service due to what an animal has done. I have never seen a colleague abused by an animal because of lateness/overcrowding etc.

All dogs I have seen are better behaved than most children, and indeed some adults

Indeed precisely so! . A like button seriously required on this site

 

[LowLevel]

In my career to date I have experienced two incidents caused by dogs. Both were the fault of their owner.

I have had many times more trouble from humans.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I utterly disagree on them being allowed, many people have a fear of animals (especially dogs), and trains are run to convey human passengers from one point to another - without them sitting in fear of a fellow passenger's pet.

I fully understand why assistance dogs are needed, but I would otherwise ban all animals (excluding humans ) on trains.

Fears can be overcome. If someone has a phobia but expects everyone else to make changes to accommodate it, yet isn't prepared to go through therapy to deal with the phobia (which would benefit themselves far more than anyone else) them they really shouldn't be using public transport... in fact, they should probably just stay home for the benefit of themselves and others.

 

[HamSandwich]

Fears can be overcome. If someone has a phobia but expects everyone else to make changes to accommodate it, yet isn't prepared to go through therapy to deal with the phobia (which would benefit themselves far more than anyone else) them they really shouldn't be using public transport... in fact, they should probably just stay home for the benefit of themselves and others.

What about those with genuine allergies, do you think they should just stay at home too?

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

I utterly disagree on them being allowed, many people have a fear of animals (especially dogs), and trains are run to convey human passengers from one point to another - without them sitting in fear of a fellow passenger's pet.

I fully understand why assistance dogs are needed, but I would otherwise ban all animals (excluding humans ) on trains.

Buses take pets, trains take pets, I have even flown with cat and dogs in the cabin.

I don't see the problem, if they are too close for comfort, move away.

 

[221129]

What about those with genuine allergies, do you think they should just stay at home too?

Move to a different carriage. It's the individuals responsibility to mitigate for their allergies not everyone else's.

 

[London Trains]

Buses take pets, trains take pets, I have even flown with cat and dogs in the cabin.

I don't see the problem, if they are too close for comfort, move away.

Well they shouldn't take pets. What if every seat is taken, are you supposed to go and stand in a vestibule because the animal takes priority. What is the service is badly overcrowded and you cannot get to another coach?

Move to a different carriage. It's the individuals responsibility to mitigate for their allergies not everyone else's.

But no allergy should require you to move seats or stand when on a train. I cant think of any other allergy that would genuinely require you to move on a train.

 

[221129]

Well they shouldn't take pets. What if every seat is taken, are you supposed to go and stand in a vestibule because the animal takes priority. What is the service is badly overcrowded and you cannot get to another coach?



But no allergy should require you to move seats or stand when on a train. I cant think of any other allergy that would genuinely require you to move on a train.

Its public transport not a taxi.

 

[Y Ddraig Coch]

Well they shouldn't take pets. What if every seat is taken, are you supposed to go and stand in a vestibule because the animal takes priority. What is the service is badly overcrowded and you cannot get to another coach?

But they do, and unless the rules change you have to deal with it. I don't think we often here complaints on this forum about pets, so it cant be that big a deal, as lets be honest, on this forum we all like a good moan, if pets on trains where a big issue to the majority of passengers we would definitely hear about it.

 

[221129]

I cant think of any other allergy that would genuinely require you to move on a train.

Pretty much any other allergy....

 

[al78]

But no allergy should require you to move seats or stand when on a train. I cant think of any other allergy that would genuinely require you to move on a train.

Allergies can be treated, or at least eased by medication most of the time. Trains aren't the only place you might encounter a dog, so if you are really so allergic then you have to look into treating the allergy. I don't demand the local authority eliminates all the grass and flowers in the town I live in just because I suffer from hayfever.

I am not a fan of dogs, but I can tolerate them, and some of them can be surprisingly placid and friendly.