A SECTION of the M1 motorway has closed after a dog was spotted running loose around the road.
The southbound carriageway of the major motorway is currently shut between Junction 31 for Worksop and Junction 30 for Sheffield, National Highways has confirmed.
Police have also been desperately trying to catch the pooch, which has caused major disruption to the motorway in South Yorkshire.
A spokesperson for the traffic agency said on X: “Road closed due to a dog that is loose and running around the road.”
It added that officers from South Yorkshire Police were at the scene, “trying to contain and remove the dog from the road”.
Traffic maps appear to show queues stretching back from Junction 31 for up to three miles.
The road has now reopened however, according to South Yorkshire Police.
A spokesperson for the force told The Sun: “At 9.22am today (9 April) we received reports of a dog on the southbound carriageway of the M1 near Woodhall Services.
“Officers, including specialist dog officers, attended and attempted to bring the dog to safety.
“Despite their best efforts, the dog escaped to nearby woodland.”
They added: “During the incident the M1 southbound was closed.
“At 11.31am the road was reopened after officers confirmed that the dog was far enough away from the road.”
This comes as at least five people were rushed to hospital today after a “serious” car crash on the A1 in Tyne and Wear.
