Animals on motorway – what to do next after M5 dog drama
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. 
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[1] 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. 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? 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.General advice on animals on the M5