Firefighters rescue puppy whose head was stuck in a tire

Cal Fire / Riverside County Firefighters rescued a puppy whose head was trapped in a tire outside the Coachella Valley Animal Campus in Thousand Palms Tuesday afternoon.

Riverside County Animal Services Officer Jose Cisneros responded to a call in Coachella about a puppy, a three-month-old Australian cattle dog, stuck inside a spare tire. Cisneros tried to use oil to lubricate the puppy's head and try to slip the head through the way it came, however, this did not work.

The puppy appeared to have swelling in her neck. She was transported to the Coachella Valley Animal Campus for further consultation.

Veterinarians sedated the puppy to calm her and a staff member called CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire to help with the situation.

Firefighters from Riverside County Fire Station No. 69 in Rancho Mirage arrived. Firefighters Virgil Messer and Tony Bribiesca took turns using a Sawzall to safely cut a piece in the wheel to provide enough space for an easier rescue.

Firefighters made the cut was made and successfully rescued the puppy.

The dog, a female Australian cattle dog, did not suffer any serious injuries. She is resting and struggling to stand but is eating.

Animal Services believes the puppy's owners were the reporting party. She will remain at the Animal Campus to rest overnight and be under observation and then she will be returned to her rightful owners.