Paws-a-While, a non-profit company focused on pet adoption, hosted a celebratory award ceremony for Elsie’s River train driver, Riyaad Sampson, who stopped his full train to ensure the safety of a dog who was lost on the Southern Line track, between Steenberg and Lakeside in February.
Mr Sampson’s kindness and compassion not only saved the life of an innocent animal but also touched the hearts of many. He also sent out an alert to all the other train drivers on duty, informing them to be aware of other potential animals on the tracks.
Carolyn Dudgeon, the founder and director of Paws-a While, said the organisation is inspired by Mr Sampson.
“Not only his actions, but also his excitement and humility at being the centre of such a powerful awareness campaign is inspirational. The story has been shared far and wide, highlighting the appreciation for kindness and compassion shown by one living being to another. It was a true honour to be able to celebrate Riyaad.”
Mr Sampson who was in the presence of his family and his dog, Layla, at the ceremony, said he was overwhelmed but very grateful to be honoured by all the animal organisations.
“My job as a train driver is not only limited to the safety of the train, myself and passengers. There was an obstruction on the line so I stopped. I just did what I feel any human being would’ve done: stop and to try and help. To make sure the dog gets safely off the track. At that time of the morning is peak, when trains run frequently, I wanted to make sure the dog would be safe. I am happy to hear the dog is safely reunited with its owners”
At the ceremony held on Thursday, March 14 at the Church of the Holy Spirit Life Centre in Kirstenhof, Cape of Good Hope SPCA expressed thanks with a poem It’s not just a dog by Richard Biby, summing up their feelings towards Mr Sampson’s act.
Thanks was also shown to Jamie Pieterse, the neighbourhood watch member who gave his time to search for the dog, later educating the dog’s owner on how to keep their dog safely on their property.
Paws-a-While patron and Mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith, handed over a certificate of kindness and compassion to Mr Sampson, co-signed by Cape Animal Welfare Forum chair Tony Gerrans, with Mr Sampson’s wife, mother-in-law and furchild, Layla, in attendance.
Paws-A-While gave a special thanks to Ward 71 councillor Carolynne Franklin for her contributions towards the morning including MC’ing the event, the CHS Life Centre in Kirstenhof for hosting the ceremony, and Hills Pet Nutrition and Vondi’s Holistic Pet for donating goodie bags filled with treats and toys for Layla.
.
