WE are a nation of animal lovers, but they can cause havoc if they get loose on a motorway or a major road, bringing traffic to a standstill and potentially putting lives at risk.
This was vividly illustrated last Friday when a poodle brought the M5 to a standstill near junction 6 (Worcester). Fortunately, the dog was rescued by officers from West Mercia Police but these circumstances are hardly unprecedented may leave motorists wondering what they should do if they encounter this or a similar situation.
It is not the first time an animal has got loose on the roads near Worcester. We reported in 2023 how an escaped pig was pictured lying in the central reservation of a dual carriageway on the A449 after a night of chaos which left another pig dead after it was struck by a car.
ADORABLE: The dog was rescued from the M5 near junction 6 (Worcester) (Image: West Mercia Police)
One of two escaped pigs was killed in a crash on the A449 near Ombersley on Thursday, November 9, 2023 while the second pig was reported to be loose nearby the following day.
Big cats and herds of cattle
Worcestershire is a rural county – Herefordshire even more so – and some witnesses have even claimed to have seen big cats in remote locations in Worcestershire. On Thursday, a herd of cattle was filmed walking along Malvern Road into Hanley Swan which reflects how closely the lives of people and animals are intertwined in Worcestershire.
READ MORE: M5 dog on loose near Worcester – first photo of rescued pet
However, after such close encounters, many may ask what they should do if they see a dog or potentially another animal loose on the motorway or another road?
General advice on animals on the M5
You are advised not to stop your vehicle to rescue the animal but take a note of the location and call 999 to report the danger to police.
This is especially true of motorways like the M5 because of the high speeds at which vehicles are travelling. Using the what3words app can help pinpoint the animal’s location for the authorities. Motorists are not advised to swerve as changing direction suddenly can cause a multi-vehicle crash.
We asked the RSPCA what drivers should so and they issued the following advice if they spot animals on live motorways – call 999 and Highways England in such emergencies.
READ MORE: Escaped pigs on A449 sleeps in central reservation
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “If a dog, or any animal, is on a live motorway or major highway, then people should call 999 and Highways England as it’s considered an active emergency which poses a risk to both the animal and motorists.”
The spokesperson added: “The police will coordinate with road traffic officers to safely manage traffic and recover the animal.”
A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said: “Officers were called to reports of a dog loose on the M5 close to junction 6 at around 7.35am on Friday.
“Two officers from West Mercia’s Operational Policing Unit (OPU), with the help of a member of the public were able to contain the dog, who had jumped into a van. The dog has now been checked by vets and safely returned. ”
