Owner sought after two dogs found dead on train tracks

NEW BALTIMORE―A local woman is hoping to find the owner of two dogs mysteriously found dead in New Baltimore last week on a remote stretch of railroad tracks.

The pair of German Shepherds, a male and female, did not have injuries consistent with being struck by a train, according to Denise Doyle who made the tragic discovery on January 21.

“They were well groomed and in beautiful condition,” said Doyle, a pet sitter and dog walker who lives in South Cairo.

Doyle’s husband works for CSX and that afternoon it was brought to her attention that one of his co-workers had spotted the dogs alive and well, running and playing near the tracks over the previous two days. The secluded area, northeast of Exit 21B of the New York State Thruway, is accessible off State Route 9W, but only through about two miles of rough, snow covered trails, she noted.

Doyle decided something was strange about the situation and took an ATV out in the dark in below zero temperatures to try and find the dogs.

But what she found was heartbreaking. The dogs were deceased, laying together in the middle of the tracks.

“At the time we were not sure if this was foul play or if they were hit by the train,” Doyle said.

The dogs did both have injuries, she noted, but “didn't appear to have what, in my opinion, would be devastating train impact trauma.”

“We think the dogs froze to death on top of each other,” she said.

The Greene County Sheriff’s Office and CSX Police Department responded, and Doyle and her husband recovered the dogs once they were given permission to take them from the scene.

The bodies were brought to the New Baltimore Animal Hospital where Doyle said they found no signs of foul play or implanted microchips. The dogs were also not wearing collars.

They are both believed to be around two years old, Doyle said.

“These dogs were gorgeous,” she said.

What is baffling to Doyle is not only how the dogs ended up in the middle of nowhere, but why they stayed there together for several days.

“It just seems so suspicious and no one has come forward to claim them,” said Doyle, who has been actively sharing the information on social media in hopes of finding the dogs’ owner.

“I called all surrounding veterinary offices to notify them. There were no reports of these missing dogs anywhere,” she added.

The New Baltimore Animal Hospital waited several days to see if an owner came forward before having the dogs cremated. The Lily Pond Sanctuary, Inc., a nonprofit animal rescue in Ghent, also offered their assistance, Doyle said, but the animal hospital covered the costs.

“I don't have answers,” said Doyle. “It is a sad situation indeed.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Greene County Sheriff’s Office at 518-943-3300.

‍