Sydney Trains: Transport for NSW criticised after burying rescue dog Tammy in trackside grave

Sydney Train officials have been caught out after burying a much-loved dog in an unmarked grave alongside the tracks of an inner-city station. See the investigation that was sparked by the owners.

Six-year old rescue dog Tammy

Transport officials have apologised to a devastated family after their dog was buried alongside train tracks in Sydney’s inner west.

The Infrastructure Control Center (ICON), a department of Transport for NSW, were caught out after burying the dog next to train tracks at Sydenham Station on September 27, instead of trying to identify the owner with the help of a vet.

The trackside burial comes as a pet detective and the owner of ‘Tammy’ the rescue dog have accused the department of lying over claims the dog “had no collar” when it was found dead by Transport staff.

For weeks, Newtown resident Aime Palfreeman, hounded Sydenham Station officials for information over the disappearance of her rescue dog Tammy – after she wandered from the family home and was spotted by near train tracks at the inner-city station.

However, Ms Palfreeman said she was repeatedly met with little help and claimed that she was pushed away by workers who “didn’t want to deal with it”.

Sydenham train station. Picture: Damian Hofman

“After chatting we were finally informed that ... a (Transport team) found a small white dog with no collar.”

Finding no help from Transport for NSW, Aimee enlisted Arthur and Co Pet Detectives founder, Anne-Marie Curry, who worked to find the dog.

The pet detective took to Facebook, where she received an avalanche of messages of people with tip-offs.

“We were informed that (Transport for NSW) had found a dog that matched Tammy's description, but they had just buried it by the tracks,” she said.

“They outright refused to provide us any contact details of anyone who could give us more information.”

After multiple attempts for information, a representative from Transport for NSW's executive team contacted the pet detective, confirming the department had buried the dog next to the train tracks.

Arthur and Co. Pet Detectives Anne-Marie Curry.

Ms Curry said a team was sent to dig up the body, before leaving Tammy’s remains “in a box near the train tracks”.

The pet detective said it was only after Transport for NSW chief executive Matt Longland interviewed that workers went back to take a photo of the dog in order to identify her.

“We were vehemently told there was no collar with the dog, and when I found (a collar was found), I thought are you f**king kidding me, they knew the whole time and lied about it, unless the collar just magically appeared,” Ms Palfreeman said.

“I was shattered, it was such an awful period of my life, I just wanted to love this dog that's had such a hard life, and now I cant do that.”

A Transport for NSW spokesman said the department was “saddened to hear the news about Tammy”.

“Sydney Trains’ staff assisted in returning Tammy to her owner, providing closure for the family and the community,’ he said. “We understand this is a sensitive topic and we will continue to work with the local council, vets and the RSPCA to improve our methods for dealing with deceased pets found with identification in the rail corridor.

“Sydney Trains offers its condolences to Tammy’s family.”