Dog reunited with owner after terrifying ride

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) -- A very lucky dog has been reunited with its owners after surviving a terrifying trip.

The dog traveled 11 miles in the grill of a car after it was struck while crossing the street, unbeknownst to the driver.

"One of the more bizarre stories by far," said Will Muggle, of the East Providence Animal Control. "We've never come across anything like this."

According to East Providence Animal Control, on September 20, a driver going 50 miles per hour hit the small poodle-mix near Segregansett Country Club in Taunton without realizing it.

• Photos: Dog Survives Ride Wedged in Car Grill

The driver continued until someone flagged him down in East Providence. The dog was clinging to life the whole way.

"She was kind of wedged in there with the license plate and the license plate cover," said Muggle.

Muggle rushed to the scene and tried to pull the dog out, not knowing if she would survive.

"She was holding on to the front bumper, holding on for dear life if it were," he said.

Amazingly, the dog was nearly unscathed. She had a concussion which has since cleared up, and a minor bladder issue that has been fixed as well.

"This is definitely one of the luckiest dogs I've met."

The dog's owners saw the pictures of Suzie on television, and went to the animal shelter to be reunited with their pooch.

"I saw it earlier before I came here to get her, and it's just amazing that she made it," said her owner.

Muggle tells us they've fielded dozens of calls from people trying to claim the miracle dog.

"It's very exciting, we're so happy the dog was able to get back to its owner," he added.

Suzie's owners said they plan to be a little more careful in the future, since it was learned that she escaped by digging through the fence at her family's North Dighton home.