Northern staff rescue and rehome injured dog found wandering near the railway

A 12-year-old Boxer called Molly was malnourished and suffering with multiple injuries when she was spotted on the sidings near the Blackpool depot in October.  

The staff took her into the messroom, made her a bed and offered her some food, before contacting the animal welfare charity Homeward Bound to seek assistance from their volunteers.

Scott Grimes, driver operations team leader at the depot, said: “When we found Molly she genuinely looked like she had not eaten for weeks. She was covered in injuries and full of infection.

“The team helped secure Molly, we offered her warmth and affection when she needed it the most.

“It is heart-warming to work with people that have similar beliefs, as we all felt morally obliged to give Molly the love she needed.”

The team agreed to donate money to help cover the vet bills, before Homeward Bound allowed driver operator Jacob Peake and his girlfriend Nas to foster her.

Mr Peake said: “Molly’s been doing great ever since we brought her home and she’s coming on a long way each day.

“At first, she would just eat and sleep all day but now her personality is starting to shine through. Today was the first time she ran up to me wagging her tail.

“Fostering her just felt like the right thing to do. We’ve already got a Pomeranian called Kiki but we’ve always wanted to give a home to a rescue.

“Kiki has never got on with other dogs but she likes Molly, who is so laid back and relaxed.”

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.