A car chase in Los Angeles, California, ended with police scrambling to capture six dogs, some of which darted from the suspect's car onto the freeway.

The incident began after the driver failed to stop for California Highway Patrol officers in Orange County, local media said.

The suspect maintained speeds of around 70 to 80 miles per hour before slowing down to about 30 mph on the freeway shoulder in Long Beach. That's when her car, a late-model Mercedes, was reportedly spun out by police.

But when the woman emerged from the vehicle, barefoot and smoking a cigarette, the officers' job became much more complicated. At least three of the six dogs seen peering from the car window quickly bolted onto the blocked freeway, forcing a fresh chase.

After some struggle, the officers managed to corral the pups both inside and outside the car.

The suspect was taken into custody and all six dogs were handed over to animal care services of Long Beach.