Mixed poodle survives highway jog

NEW YORK – Hang on, Snoopy.

A mixed poodle who was caught running along the Major Deegan Expressway during Thursday night’s rush hour underwent X-rays to make sure he hadn’t suffered any serious injuries from his escapades, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said.

Aside from some abrasions and bruises from being hit by a car, the dog “so far seems to be doing great,” said ASPCA spokeswoman Jo Sullivan. “It appears that he came out miraculously OK.”

A family has come forward to claim the dog. They say that his name is Snoopy and that he escaped from the Bronx apartment where they were pet-sitting him. They say they discovered that Snoopy had fled when they saw traffic helicopter reporters describing the chase on television.

Police managed to corner the dog, grabbing him about 6 p.m. on the busy six-lane highway near Yankee Stadium.

Sullivan said the pooch would remain with the ASPCA until his health was considered satisfactory.