In 2023, a train in Paris faced an unusual situation when a cat, having escaped from a traveler’s bag, created quite a stir. Despite requests to delay the train’s departure in order to rescue the animal, the Paris Bordeaux High-Speed TGV train continued on, leaving 800 passengers aboard while the cat was tragically struck. The French national railway operator, SNCF, remarked that these animals were often “invisible.”
Following two years of discussions, SNCF has rolled out more defined procedures. According to new guidelines, if a pet escapes onto the train tracks, a train can be delayed for up to 20 minutes. This update was reported by AFP.
A spokesperson from the Railway Infrastructure Management Unit at SNCF Reseau explained to AFP that this protocol codifies common-sense and humane practices staff should follow in such scenarios.
The guidance was communicated to SNCF personnel in a note on Thursday. If a passenger alerts them about a missing pet, staff have a timeframe of 10 minutes to investigate quietly from the platform.
Should they find the lost pet, the new rules state that staff can work for up to 10 minutes to safely retrieve the animal without entering the hazardous area.
If a pet remains unaccounted for, the train must proceed at a very slow speed, allowing a final chance for the animal to escape.
The cat’s owner did take legal action against SNCF but lost in the appeal process. After the passing of the Transport Minister, Clément Bourne, he urged SNCF’s CEO to explore all possibilities for modifying internal procedures.
