SOMERVILLE, MA — A Somerville dog owner is urging pet lovers to be more cautious after his greyhound was injured on an MBTA escalator. Joel Tenenbaum says the scare changed the way he thinks about a normal part of the commute, especially when animals are along for the ride.
His dog, Turner, has since recovered, but the experience left a lasting impression. Tenenbaum now wants other commuters to understand how quickly a routine trip can turn into a painful emergency for a pet.
How the accident happened
Tenenbaum and Turner are regular riders on the Orange Line and had taken escalators many times without a problem. But in November, as they were getting off an escalator near home, Turner let out a yelp and Tenenbaum realized the dog’s paw had been caught where the steps disappear beneath the comb at the top.
He pulled Turner free right away, and other commuters and MBTA employees quickly gathered to help. Turner was bleeding, so Tenenbaum rushed him to an emergency veterinarian. The dog needed stitches, then spent time recovering with a cone and a bandage on his paw.
Tenenbaum said the vet bill moved quickly, but the good news was simple: Turner made a full recovery and is back to his usual walks.
Why pet owners are paying attention
Tenenbaum said he realized his dog was not the only one at risk after watching another escalator rescue months later, when a good Samaritan hit the emergency stop button to help a woman trapped in the same area. That moment helped convince him that more public awareness could prevent injuries.
NBC10 Boston Investigators also found other pet-related escalator incidents in the region, including a hand injury to a pet owner at Alewife and a Cambridge Fire Department rescue of a small dog at Harvard. The department has also shared a photo of firefighters helping a dog named Taco on social media in the past.
The pattern has prompted concern from emergency veterinarian Dr. Kelsea Studer of Tufts University, who said dogs’ nails, paws and hair can get caught in escalators. She said injuries can be severe, and in some cases may require surgery or even amputation.
Safer choices for daily travel
Studer recommends avoiding escalators when possible. If stairs or elevators are not available, she said pet owners should consider carrying smaller dogs or keeping a close watch on where paws enter and exit the moving steps.
Tenenbaum says the experience has made him far more careful about a machine he once barely noticed during his commute. He now hopes other pet owners pause before stepping onto an escalator with an animal, especially one that may be moving quickly or riding low to the ground.
For him, the warning is personal and practical: pets can be hurt fast, and the recovery can be stressful and expensive. Turner’s healing made the lesson easier to share, and Tenenbaum hopes it helps another dog avoid the same scare.
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