Dunedin City Council senior animal control officer Peter Hanlin said council animal control staff were called to the station about 8.30pm on Monday.
A 2-year-old American Staffordshire cross had been placed in the cells for safe keeping after it followed two strangers from Caversham to the central city, Mr Hanlin said.
''I understand it was making a bit of a racket, so they had to get rid of it,'' he said, of the reason for locking up the pooch.
Dunedin animal control and police often worked together, but it was the first time a prisoner transfer had taken place between the organisations, he said.
''We get called upon to help the police with dogs - but not pick them up from the cells, as such,'' Mr Hanlin said.
The dog was still at the pound last night. Animal control had been attempting to contact the registered dog's owners.
