This is the heroic moment a rescue team climbed through a filthy sewer to save stray puppies trapped inside.

Volunteers from a local rescue foundation were notified by concerned locals who heard the puppies crying from the sewer pipe in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, on July 7.

Fearing the mutts might drown when rain falls and floods the sewer, they called rescue personnel to pull the hapless animals out.

Footage shows the rescue team rapelling down the hole to search for the puppies, seen roaming around the pipe. The personnel spent 40 minutes crouched in the narrow space as they coaxed the puppies into a plastic box, which they lifted out of the sewers.

Officers said there were four puppies - two male and two female. They added that no mother dog was nearby and that the puppies had likely been dumped there.

Following the successful rescue, the puppies appeared to show their gratitude by playing with the rescue team.

The volunteers said they have decided to adopt the dogs.