London’s Waterloo station has become the first major train hub in Britain to employ dogs on regular patrols. Canine caretakers Riley, Buster and Flo are providing additional reassurance to passengers as part of a 3-month trial. The pups — two Cocker Spaniels and a Labrador — were deployed by South Western Railway (SWR) and NR Wessex, partnering with Alpha Canine Specialists. The dogs — ages 9, 10 and 11 — will be going into retirement after this, their final deployment. The dogs are intended to act as a visual deterrent and a part of a wider program designed to keep passengers and employees safe. Other recent measures include launching a better CCTV system and investing in an outreach worker who engages with vulnerable young people.
