Sydney residents are concerned for the safety of their pets after a fox "the size of a labrador" was spotted crossing Victoria Road outside the Holy Cross College in Ryde.

Tilly Simpson, 25, was driving through the area at about 10.15pm on Saturday when she noticed the animal, which had a chicken in its mouth.

The fox, spotted crossing Victoria Road in Ryde, on Saturday night. Credit:Tilly Simpson

"I called my boyfriend's mum [who lives nearby] and I said: 'Put your chickens away because there's a fox across the road with a chicken in its mouth and it's heading in your direction,'" she said.

"It was just so bizarre. I haven't seen them so close to the road or in the city suburbs before."