M5 dog on loose near Worcester
The dark-haired Poodle is pictured in the footwell of the officer's car after being rescued by West Mercia Police on the M5 near junction 6. 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. "
OPU was vital in the rescue of the dog
Lanes were closed in both directions between junction 6 (Worcester) and junction 5 (Droitwich) as police and highways officers responded to the 7.35am incident and attempted to rescue the animal. Recommended reading:
Two officers from West Mercia Police's Operational Policing Unit, with the help of a member of the public, eventually contained the dog after it jumped into a van. A National Highways spokesman said: "We received a report of a dog running loose on the carriageway near junction 6 of the M5 at 7.35am. "All lanes northbound and southbound were closed for a short time while a police officer and National Highways traffic officers attempted to catch the dog.
"It was eventually caught by the West Mercia Police officer who was left to make contact with the owner."
The dog was later checked by vets and safely returned.
Delays built up on the M5 near Worcester, with witnesses describing pedestrians in the carriageway attempting to catch the dog.