A chow chow named Meatball was electrocuted by the third rail at the Bowling Green subway station after escaping from its owner and entering the tracks. The incident caused train delays and service suspensions. The event has drawn attention to the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) rule requiring pets to be in carriers on subway trains, according to Gothamist.
NYPD data shows a decline in enforcement of the subway bag rule for pets, with only 13 summonses issued in 2025. Reports indicate that adherence to the MTA’s requirement for pets to be contained during transit has decreased since the pandemic, as per People.
Following Meatball’s death, commuters at the Bowling Green subway station reported varied observations about pets on the subway. Some noted that most pets are not transported in carriers, while others have adapted creative methods to comply with MTA rules, such as using larger backpacks for their dogs.
Some subway riders have reported not following the MTA’s pet carrier requirement. MTA Chair Janno Lieber has approached dog owners to encourage compliance, while enforcement by local authorities appears limited. Observations from riders indicate that many continue to bring pets on subways without carriers.
The discussion around the MTA’s pet policy continues as New Yorkers navigate the shared spaces of public transit. Following the incident involving Meatball, the issue of pet containment on subways remains under attention, with compliance and enforcement still limited.
