A STRAY dog in Beggarwood has been safely caught by a dog warden after residents were urged to not approach the animal.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council posted an appeal on Tuesday, July 16, asking residents to not approach, call, chase, follow or try to grab a dog that was seen wandering near the A30.

The council provided an update on Facebook on Wednesday, July 16, informing concerned residents that the dog was 'caught safely this morning'. The dog has been named Murphy and will undergo a full check-up and wash at the vet.

The post continued: "Thank you to Lost Dog Recovery UK South for all their help and thank you to all who shared our post and helped to keep him safe."

Residents reacted to the news, with one calling it 'fantastic work'. Another said: "So glad he's been caught and is in your safe hands."

"I've not stopped thinking about this poor little dog since he was seen in Dummer so close to the M3, I'm so glad he is now safe," another added.

Lost Dog Recovery UK South is a non-profit organisation made up of volunteers. It provides advice, mapping, poster design, trapping equipment and online support for missing dogs.