A missing dog who managed to cross all lanes of the M1 in rush hour has been reunited with her owners, police said. Rescue dog Misty, a two-year-old Golden Retriever Spaniel cross adopted from Cyprus, disappeared from Thurgoland near Barnsley on 28 July while on a family holiday.
Over the next two weeks, Misty was spotted across South Yorkshire, including in Dodworth, Penistone, Langsett and other locations. Despite appearing 'soaking wet and petrified', police were unable to catch her. On 10 August, she caused 'mayhem' by running onto the M1 near Birdwell.
South Yorkshire Police received multiple 999 calls from people who had spotted Misty on the motorway. A road block was put in place while drone officers and volunteers from dog rescue group K9-SAR helped to find her. PC Andrea Silburn, a 'huge dog lover', assisted with the rescue operation.
'She is a very clever dog, she managed to get so close to getting home herself, but she just couldn't work out the final bit,' PC Silburn said. 'Finally being able to catch Misty, using chicken which was far too tempting for her to ignore after weeks of surviving on her own, was an extremely happy and rewarding day for everyone.'
A police spokesperson said that although Misty was 'dirty, underweight and scared' when found, she is now healthy and back with her owners.
