TWO transit guards have been backed by the transport authority after they were caught on camera dragging an elderly man from a Perth train.

The man, visiting from interstate, was on a Mandra train earlier this week when he was approached by the guards and asked why he had a dog with him.

According to a witness on the train, the man told them he suffered from a medical condition and needed to travel with his therapy dog at all times.

“That is not grounds to have a dog on a train,” one of the guards responded, according to video obtained by 9 News.

Even after pulling out his phone and showing them a document in an attempt to prove the dog was for therapy purposes, the man was told to leave by the guards.

“I’m not leaving,” he responded.

“What we’re going to do is grab your gear, walk you off the train,” the guard informed him.

After the guard grabbed the man’s suitcase, the confrontation became heated and the man appeared to try and hit one of the guards.

“Don’t try, don’t f**king try,” he said.

The man continued to refuse to get off the train, telling the guards he’d been given permission at a different station.

“He got approval from higher up,” the man said.

As the confrontation continued to escalate, one of the guards said: “You need to relax, come on now this is getting us nowhere.”

Eventually, the guards resorted to physically restraining the man and dragged him from the train with his therapy dog dutifully following him off.

In a statement, the Public Transport Authority supported the guards and said they had no concerns about their behaviour.

“We have no concerns about the manner in which the man was removed,” a spokesman said.

“The rules around travel with assistance animals on the Transperth system are clear.

“Passengers travelling with assistance animals must carry a valid photo ID of the dog or have a suitably marked dog coat or harness that identifies it.”

The man was given a verbal caution for his behaviour and the transport authority said the guards only decided to remove him after he “became abusive”.

Anyone using a therapy dog is required to carry a public access certification. People are encouraged to check with their local government as legislation can vary from state to state.