(The following story by Zoe Barker appeared on the Chicago Sun-Times website on September 28, 2010.)
CHICAGO — A woman riding Metra with a small dog in her purse balked when a conductor told her she’d have to get off a train in Highland Park, delaying the southbound Union Pacific North Line train for about 20 minutes.
Pets aren’t allowed on Metra. “We only allow service animals assisting people with disabilities,” said Michael Gillis, a Metra spokesman.
The Highland Park police were called around 9:45 a.m., but Cmdr. George Pfutzenreuter said the woman — and her dog — left the train before the police got there.