Little Max the lucky puppy is fighting fit again after he survived being lobbed out of a car.

Poor Max was one of three unwanted pups thrown onto the Wainscott Bypass in Rochester two days after Christmas.

Left for dead by his heartless owner, Max battled back from the brink having suffered a broken jaw and leg.

Five months on - and thanks to the big-hearted police staff member who took the 999 call - Max is now on four legs again.

Pet-loving Laura Wills, who worked in Kent Police's communications centre, took him in and nursed him back to health.

Sadly, Max's two canine pals weren't so lucky and both died at the roadside.

Laura has since spent more than £1,100 on Max's vets bills after the incident on December 27 last year.

She said: "When PC Dave Brett arrived on the scene he found that two of the puppies were already dead.

"He took Max to the PDSA and I got in contact to say that if he survived I would take him.

"The next day I took him home with me but he spent a lot of time at the vets as both his jaw and his leg had been broken and he had a big plaster cast.

"He also had fleas and worms but was still desperate to play and have fun!"

Max needed 24-hour care from Laura and her family and had to eat constantly to put weight back on.

Five months on and he is changed character.

Laura added: "He was 1.4kg when we got him and now he is about 11kg.

"He is absolutely huge but is such a softie and just loves to be with people and is so affectionate.

"When he is tired his jaw goes a bit wonky and his tongue hangs out because of the broken jaw he suffered but he really is just part of the family now."

PC David Brett, based at Medway police station, attended the call.

He said: "This was a really heart breaking call to attend. It is hard to believe that anyone could treat animals so badly.

"Two of the puppies had already died and Max was in a really terrible state when we arrived on the scene and he too was close to death.

"A combination of love and excellent medical care has helped nurse him back to health.

"Unfortunately we didn't get enough information to find the culprit but what is really great to see is that Max now has owners that love him."

Laura added: "It was an upsetting incident to deal with from a work perspective but from a personal point of view, after a lot of hard work, we have an amazing addition to our family.

"Everyone who meets him just falls in love with him straight away."

Anyone with information on the incident should 01622 690 690 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.