During the early days of Japan's Golden Week holiday, a Shiba Inu unexpectedly ran onto the Third Keihin Expressway in Kanagawa Prefecture, sparking a tense yet heartwarming "dog chase" incident. The event occurred around 11 a.m. on April 29 near the Tamagawa Toll Gate in Takatsu Ward, Kawasaki City, close to the Tama River.
Local police received a 110 emergency call reporting a dog running freely on the main highway lanes. The highway patrol quickly responded to the scene. Witnesses noted that although the Shiba Inu wore a collar, it had no leash or identification tags, suggesting it was lost and its owner was unknown. The dog darted back and forth across the expressway, surprising passing vehicles and prompting many drivers to stop and assist, creating an impromptu roadside "dog capture operation".
One eyewitness, Shunsuke Omi, a commuter on his way to a concert in Shizuoka Prefecture with his band, recalled seeing an electronic highway sign warning of "animal intrusion". He initially expected a wild animal but was touched to see a Shiba Inu calmly wandering. "It was really healing to see," he said.
Participants who helped capture the dog observed leaves stuck to its fur, indicating it might have mistakenly entered the highway from the nearby riverbank. Police reported the dog was agitated and even bit an officer who tried to calm it down. After about 20 minutes and the combined efforts of five to six people, the Shiba Inu was safely caught. A patrol officer wearing a helmet carried the dog to a police vehicle and transported it to the Tsuzuki Police Station for care.
Although some travelers experienced delays, the atmosphere at the scene was filled with goodwill and laughter. One bystander noted, "Everyone felt helpless about the situation but also somewhat moved by it." Kanagawa police are actively searching for the dog's owner and remind pet owners to always secure leashes and identification tags to prevent similar incidents.
