A dramatic rescue caught on camera unfolded in Ecuador after a dog became trapped in a pool of thick tar spilled across a roadway.
A tanker truck overturned in the streets of Quito on November 13, 2025, spilling 10,000 tons of tar, news outlet Primicias reported. The tar spread across the roadway, blocking traffic and creating a hazardous scene for anyone nearby.
Along its path, the sticky substance trapped a dog that struggled desperately to escape, with no success. Footage, filmed by local resident Alex Pila, shows the canine reaching its front paws toward bystanders for help while its hind legs remained completely stuck, unable to move.
The video shared with Storyful then showed civilians and first responders immediately jumping to the canine's rescue. They worked together, carefully placing metal sheets across the tar to create a stable path, allowing them to reach the trapped animal without sinking into the tar themselves.
Once close enough, a man tried to pull the dog out of the tar but was unable to grab it safely without injuring the pup. Others tried before a team of firefighters stepped in.
The strangers worked from each side, slowly lifting the dog's hind legs from the tar, one at a time. As soon as the canine was freed, three people worked together to carry it to safety.
Newsweek reached out to Pila via email on Tuesday morning for additional information and comment.
Like humans, dogs can face serious health risks when in contact with tar, which could include encounters with freshly paved roads or driveways, clay pigeons used in shooting sports, roofing material, creosote-treated wood and fencing, industrial sites and bitumen-based flooring materials, according to an article from PetsCare.
Canines will start to show symptoms of excessive drooling, loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, lethargy or painful burns around the mouth and paws if exposed to coal tar. In extreme cases, the exposure to tar can progress to jaundice, neurological issues such as tremors or seizures, discolored gums and severe weakness or collapse.
If you suspect your dog has been exposed to tar, contact your veterinarian and prevent your dog from licking the affected areas. Prompt intervention can significantly improve a dog's chances of recovery after exposure.
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