A RUNAWAY husky led police, the public and highways workers in her wake as she outwitted her breathless pursuers for more than half an hour.

The beautiful female husky created havoc in Scotton, near Catterick Garrison, at lunchtime today (Monday, March 21) - dodging traffic and constantly outwitting those trying to capture her.

Craig Jessup, who works as a carer in Scotton, said he encountered the husky as he was walking to work from the bus stop.

“She padded up behind me and followed for a bit and then shot ahead," he said.

Mr Jessup, from Richmond, decided to give chase as he was concerned the husky would get run over as she appeared unfazed by traffic on the busy road.

He said the dog had appeared from the direction of Vimy Barracks and ran out between vehicles at Scotton crossroads, causing a traffic jam.

Fortunately, one contained a highways officer from North Yorkshire County Council, who tried to move the dog off the road.

Mr Jessup, who was late for work as a result of his efforts, added: “The dog stood up on her back legs to greet a driver of one of the parked cars, then set off running again towards Maple Lodge care home.

“She ran onto farm land. So the highways officer and I chased her behind Maple Lodge care home – where the kitchen staff gave us some ham to try and lure her to us.”

The husky had other ideas, however, and kept her pursuers at bay by running down Ringwood Road and into nearby woods.

A police officer and police community support officer joined in and herded her towards an open police car door, but the hound simply sprinted off to some farm buildings.

Mr Jessup said: “I had managed to lure her up to the open door of the police car with small pieces of ham, but she didn't fancy getting in.

“Finally the highways officer, PCSO and I cornered her and we slipped a makeshift lead onto her, made from a climbing rescue rope.

He added: “As an overweight male, I'd personally like to thank the owner for encouraging the 30 minutes of cardio spent tracking the fast little rogue.”

After being dropped off with the Richmondshire dog warden, it was not long before she was identified by her microchip and reunited with her family.