AN abandoned dog had a lucky escape after he broke free from a tree he had been tied to and ran into traffic.

The Staffordshire bull terrier was found tied to a tree in James Cooke Woods, in Maldon Road, Witham on Saturday, February 2 at around 2.30pm.

A kind-hearted member of the public tried to approach the dog but he managed to wriggle loose from the tree before bolting across a car park where several cars were forced to swerve and brake sharply to avoid him.

Luckily the dog, who is called Sykes, was caught and taken to a veterinary centre before being collected by the RSPCA.

A witness said the dog hadn't been tied to the tree one hour earlier when they had been passing.

RSPCA Inspector Ann Bennett said: "We are very grateful to everyone who helped this poor dog and he is currently in RSPCA care and doing well.

"The dog is very friendly, and sadly we suspect that he has been abandoned as no one has come forward to report him missing at this stage.

"He is microchipped and his name is Sykes and he is three years old, he has quite distinctive markings so we hope someone would come forward with information.

"We have followed up on the information regarding his microchip and previous owners, but the details had not been updated upon them selling the dog, therefore our enquiries continue."

Anyone information regarding who owns Sykes should contact the RSPCA appeal line on 0300 123 8018.