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Dog named Meatball dies after hitting third rail in Manhattan subway stop, NYPD says
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Feb 2, 2026
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Ramsey Khalifeh / Gothamist
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Feb 2, 2026
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A dog named “Meatball" was killed Monday morning after it fell onto the subway tracks at the Bowling Green station and was electrocuted by the third rail, police said.
According to the NYPD, police officers responded to a call at the station just after 9:40 a.m. Officers found the dog on the tracks next to the third rail of the northbound platform. The pup, which was a Chow Chow, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to police.
It was not immediately clear how Meatball ended up on the tracks in the first place. MTA rules allow dogs on the subway only if they are “enclosed in a container and carried in a manner which would not annoy other passengers.”
Hours after the tragedy, commuters at Bowling Green said the dog’s death highlights why it’s important for their fellow riders to follow the rule.
“The rule exists for a good reason,” said Christopher Tursellino, 29, a regular commuter through Bowling Green. “Clearly, you should follow it if you care about your dog.”
Gothamist in 2024 reported that enforcement of the “bag rule” for dogs had dropped significantly following the COVID-19 pandemic.
The station where Meatball met its demise is just outside the MTA’s lower Manhattan headquarters.
Mariam Olowa, another commuter at Bowling Green, said she sees most dog owners leave their pets on leashes when commuting on the subway.
“It’s rare when I see someone actually carrying their dog in a carrier,” Olowa said. “I think it’s laziness. It’s much easier to have your dog walk on their own than to have them in a carrier.”
“RIP Meatball,” Olowa said after she was told of the dog’s passing. “That’s actually really horrible.”
Tagged
manhattan
new york city
public safety
transportation
Ramsey Khalifeh
Ramsey Khalifeh is a transportation reporter on the NYC Accountability desk covering the largest transit system in the country. He was previously a general assignment reporter at Gothamist and worked on the Boston Globe's metro and copy desk. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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