Escaped reindeer runs through Sunderland

An escaped reindeer ran loose through the centre of Sunderland after fleeing from its pen.

The animal, which was part of a council-organised attraction in the city's Mowbray Park, bolted when a dog got into its enclosure.

CCTV cameras at a garage owned by George Fraser pictured the panicked reindeer dodging traffic and running at speed down Toward Street.

The animal was recaptured by its owners after about 20 minutes.

Mr Fraser's wife Olive, who was the first to notice something unusual in the street, said: "We were standing in the forecourt of the garage and I just caught a glance of something.

"I knew it was too big for a dog, but only saw the back end of it."

'Popular attraction'

Mr Fraser added: "I didn't believe my wife at first. But when we checked our CCTV there it was.

"It came racing up the road. I think it must have jumped over the fence to get out."

Council bosses have issued a warning to residents to keep dogs under control.

A spokesman said: "The reindeer in Mowbray Park have proved to be a very popular attraction as part of the Christmas Lapland Village.

"On Tuesday it appears that a dog, which was not on a lead, ran into the enclosure and startled one of the reindeer, which caused it to panic and jump the fence."

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "We received a report that a reindeer had escaped from Mowbray Park. Twenty minutes later it was captured by its owners and returned to the park."