KOTA KINABALU, Jan. 19 -- A dog that had its head stuck inside a vehicle tyre rim for hours was successfully rescued after personnel from the Civil Defence Force (APM) and members of the public rushed to its aid in Kampung Hubah, Penampang here.

The incident was first discovered at about 5.15am, when the dog - later identified by its owner as Bento - was found by its owner struggling to breathe with its head lodged inside the rim of a discarded Mitsubishi Triton tyre.

Owner Charles Teo and his family members made repeated attempts to free the dog using various methods, including dousing the dog's fur in oil and placing a plastic bag around his neck to help slide the tyre off, but were unsuccessful as the animal grew increasingly distres...