Washington, Oct 3 (IANS/RIA Novosti): A poodle went on the ride of a lifetime after it was hit by a Toyota sedan and wedged in between the car's license plate and front grill, surviving a harrowing 17 km journey along a US highway.

"She was just holding on for dear life," William Muggle, East Providence, Rhode Island animal control supervisor, told ABC News. "She had paws gripped on the edge of the inside of the bumper."

The Toyota owner was driving in Taunton, Massachusetts Sep 20 when the female poodle mix ran into the road. The motorist immediately slammed on the brakes, but failed to see the dog after stopping the vehicle, said Muggle.

After not finding the pup on the roadway, the driver continued to travel to Rhode Island at speeds up to 80 kph. Upon arriving at a stoplight in East Providence another motorist alerted the driver to the small canine stuck in the front of the car, the Taunton Daily Gazette reported.

After discovering the stowaway, the Toyota owner immediately brought the pooch, believed to be 6 or 7 years old, to the East Providence Police Department. The dog was transported later to the Bay State Emergency Clinic and treated for a concussion and a minor rupture in her bladder, and she is now "doing great", Muggle said.