Police in central Sioux Falls found themselves in an unusual "standoff" situation when they finally cornered a lost dog running through the city.

In a Facebook post Wednesday, the department noted that the dog — who "refused to identify herself during the incident" — was running through major roads Tuesday afternoon, nearly causing several traffic accidents.

Once they managed to get the dog into a residential backyard, police said, negotiations began.

Cheetos and the offer of belly rubs failed to break the dog's iron will, and a plan to lasso the dog was shuttered when an officer showed off "his lack of lasso skills."

"It was clear the plan was not going to work, but awfully fun to watch," the post read.

Animal control arrived on the scene to assist, and had the dog almost secured.

But then, the dog "morphed into former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders" and dodged the attempts of three officers to grab it before sprinting into Minnesota Avenue traffic.

Luckily for everyone, the dog soon surrendered — to belly rubs — and is being kept in the custody of animal control until an owner is found.

Eluding a police officer is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and is punishable by one year imprisonment in a county jail or two thousand dollars fine — but we doubt they'll press charges.