Jan. 19--After a police pursuit of a Mercedes-Benz came to a halt about 10 p.m. on the southbound 710 Freeway near Long Beach, the driver opened a car door and released a brood of canines onto the roadway, according to video of the scene broadcast by KCAL-TV Channel 9.
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At least six dogs wagged their tails as they approached a throng of California Highway Patrol officers who had nearly surrounded the sedan at the end of the chase.
The driver, whose identity was not released, was taken into custody. Officers, meanwhile, tried to round up the assortment of dogs large and small as television news helicopters documented the unusual scene.
Both directions of the freeway were closed to traffic, but some lanes were later reopened.
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It's unclear what prompted officers to attempt the initial traffic stop of the driver. Before turning onto the 710 Freeway, authorities chased the driver on the 91 Freeway.
They dogs were being held by animal control.
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