Moment hero police officer rushes onto busy motorway to save dog hit by car

This is the heroic moment a police officer ran out onto a busy motorway to rescue an injured dog.

Footage from Joseph Puglia’s dashcam shows him jumping out of his police car within seconds of seeing the dog get hit by another vehicle.

The officer, who works in Pinellas Park, Florida, wrapped the wounded pup in an emergency blanket, placed him in his SUV rushed to the nearest animal hospital.

"My heart really sank until I started seeing him breathing," Mr Puglia told ABC news.

Thankfully, the dog survived with just minor cuts and bruises.

The dog, who has been named Lucky, is now safe and well (Pinellas Park Police Department)

"We nicknamed him ‘Lucky’ and I think the name applies,” the officer said. “He's definitely one lucky dog.”

The dog was brought to a local animal shelter and his rescuer has since been hailed as a hero.

But Mr Puglia insists he was just doing his job.

The officer added that if animal services cannot find the owner, some of his family members would be more than willing to give Lucky a home.