Crash driver flees, hits police car injuring dog

A police dog was injured after a motorist who led police on a chaotic chase through South Dunedin today backed into a police car.

At about 1.20pm a police officer saw a stolen car crash into another vehicle in the South Dunedin area, a police spokeswoman said.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle, which fled.

As the vehicle left the scene police saw it continue on and crash into multiple other vehicles.

Police followed until the driver turned into a driveway in Middleton Rd, and two police vehicles blocked the stolen car in.

The driver then reversed back into the police vehicles, damaging a dog van.

''No police officers were injured, however a police dog will need to be assessed. At this stage it does not appear to have serious injuries.''

The driver, a 25-year-old man, was arrested and charged with reckless driving, unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, and failing to stop when followed. He is due to appear in the Dunedin District Court on March 9.