MENTONE — Representatives of the historic locomotive that passed through northern Indiana last week as part of America's 250th birthday are warning spectators to keep animals and drones away from the tracks.

The warning comes after a dog was struck and killed in Mentone as the Union Pacific Railroad's 'Big Boy' passed through on Friday afternoon.

Hundreds of spectators gathered near the tracks Friday afternoon in Mentone as the historic "Big Boy" chugged east on a journey celebrating America's 250th.

A spokesperson for the support crew of the Union Pacific, who made the post on social media, also said they've had trouble with drones flying nearby and that in one case, a person was nearly decapitated by a drone while leaning outside the train's window.

The post was shared by Mentone News and Information and generated more than 100 comments.

The post went on to say that the current tour has seen "the most flagrant disregard for safety rules" that they've ever witnessed.

As for the dog's death, the post went on to say that the crew was "shaken" by what they called a horrible accident. 

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