CHP officer rescues chihuahua after chase on Bay Bridge

SAN FRANCISCO -- CHP officers rescued a missing chihuahua after it led them on a chase down the Bay Bridge Sunday morning.

San Francisco County Animal Care officials are watching the chihuahua until the owner calls to pick the dog up.

At 6:56 a.m., CHP officials reported a dog running in the eastbound lanes of the Bay Bridge.

CHP officials said at one point the dog, described as a black chihuahua, was running against traffic. "It took a while, I mean he was fast, he was running. We set up several road blocks, but he just ran right around them. Eventually, we were able to box him in. I used my jacket to distract him and the motor officer came up and took him into custody," CHP Ofc. Vu Williams said.

The officers chased the 10-pound chihuahua for five minutes on foot.

Officials said the dog is stressed, but safe at San Francisco County Animal Care.

The chihuahua has been nick named Ponch after the character on the old television show "CHiPs."

Officers are currently looking for the dog's owner. Anyone with information about the dog is asked to contact (415) 554-6364.

Bay City News contributed to this story.