A curious puppy will think twice before playing around tyres after the fire service had to cut it free from the inside of a wheel.

Mike Lee of the Hamilton Fire Service said their Blue Watch team was called to the rescue early this afternoon.

"We got called about 12.47. The seven-week-old puppy had managed to get itself stuck inside a car tyre and we had to cut the rim to get it out."

Lee said fire officers had to use a reciprocating saw to cut through the tyre rim.

"The little fella wasn't too happy about it, but we kept him cool and when we finally managed to get him free I think he pleased, although slightly in shock."

He did not know exactly how a puppy came to be stuck inside a tyre, but figured he was "curious enough to poke his head in and then realised he couldn't get out again".

Lee said the owner was very pleased, and named the dog "Rim" after the ordeal.

"The boys were pretty pleased to get the puppy out as well. These jobs are always feel-good ones."

- © Fairfax NZ News