A happy ending for dog owners after M25 K9 caper

National Highways received a report from police of a ‘greyhound’ on the clockwise carriageway of the M25 between junctions 5 and 6 M25 on Saturday, 16 November.   

Control room operators working at the South East Regional Operations Centre used CCTV cameras to locate the dog which they recognised from social media as being a local Weimaraner called Gretl who had been missing for several days. 

Traffic officers deployed to the motorway were able to locate Gretl, who was still on the move, with the help of the team watching from the control room. Unfortunately, they were unable to catch her, so the control room staff contacted her owners to arrange their help with the rescue. 

Operations Manager Claire Rowley was on duty in the control room: “We get lots of reports of animals on the motorway, often with no trace. Using all CCTV cameras in the area there was a confirmed sighting of the dog in a bush next to the motorway.

“Our team updated the overhead gantries to reduce the speed limit and advise road users of an animal on the network whilst traffic officers performed a rolling roadblock to hold the traffic and provide a safe area for Gretl’s owners to attend. Local knowledge about Gretl’s missing appeal really helped with her rescue as we were able to relay important information to the traffic officers on the ground.

“This is a fantastic example of the teamwork between our staff in the control room and the on road traffic officers to bring a safe and happy ending to this incident.”

Escorted by traffic officers, Gretl’s owners drove to the location whilst traffic was controlled to ensure their safety.

A relieved Lorraine Temple was reunited with Gretl at the roadside. She said: “The National Highways people told us what to do, which is exactly what we needed after four nights of no sleep and four days of walking around looking for Gretl. We were told to jump in the car, get to Clacket Lane Services and look out for traffic officer Jason who escorted us onto the motorway.

“We spotted Gretl in the distance, and she was limping a bit because her paws were obviously very sore. I got out of the car and walked towards her, constantly talking to her, and it was the most amazing moment when she came towards me. I put my hands on her, a traffic officer came over and I was worried she was going to get spooked, but he was absolutely amazing. He had a lead which we popped around her neck and then I just teased her through the gap in the fence. She was so, so skinny, she was able to get through the gap and that was it - I had her in my arms and I wasn't going to let her go again. 

 “There aren't enough words for us to be able to thank both the traffic officers and those working in the control room. We will be eternally grateful and indebted – Saturday was the happiest day of our lives.”  

Gretl has been checked by a vet and is back at home recovering well and resting after her M25 adventure. 

Notes to Editors

National Highways is the wholly government-owned company responsible for modernising, maintaining and operating England’s motorways and major A roads.

Real-time traffic information for England’s motorways and major A roads is available via the Traffic England website, local and national radio travel bulletins, electronic road signs and mobile apps. Local Twitter services are also available.

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