A puppy run over by a car may not sound like a feel good story.
But the remarkable tale of four-month-old pooch Dotti has left many feeling "warm and fuzzy" at a devastated far north Queensland region.
Dotti was among 51 dogs left behind when almost 300 people were evacuated from Wujal Wujal after record flooding caused by Tropical Cyclone Jasper struck.
The dogs were left in the care of police and a nurse at the largely destroyed community north of Cairns after residents were relocated to Cooktown.
Weeks later, Dotti was still waiting for her owners to return when she fell asleep under a car.
She was accidentally run over, leaving her "touch and go" with a severe leg fracture.
Stuck at a rebuilding community largely cut off by flood damage, the puppy's outlook appeared grim.
Enter Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr.
After a call from distressed Wujal Wujal CEO Kiley Hanslow, Mr Kerr launched a daring rescue.
Already set to drop off more supplies in a helicopter, Mr Kerr and his crew were able to collect Dotti when they landed at Wujal Wujal.
"She had a police escort to the helicopter," Mr Kerr told AAP.
She was then flown to Port Douglas almost 120km away where vets successfully operated on Wednesday, inserting a rod and pins to support her damaged leg.
The $6000 vet bill has been picked up by local animal rescue group Paws and Claws.
Mr Kerr - the Paws and Claws president - is confident donations will cover the cost.
"I believe Dotti's owners are aware of the situation but at the moment they can't get out of Cooktown," Mr Kerr said.
"We will look after Dotti for the next six weeks at the Paws and Claws shelter to make sure she has a full recovery."
Dotti will then be reunited with her owners at Wujal Wujal.
"This community needs some happy stories after what they have been through," Mr Kerr said.
"This one makes me feel warm and fuzzy."
