Kind locals saved a distressed pet dog with a fishing hook stuck in its mouth.

Dog owners Dum, 50, and Lek, 43, called volunteers to their home in Ang Thong, Thailand after finding their beloved pet Chao Nual whimpering with the sharp object lodged in its tongue on March 19.

The couple said they were awoken by Chao Nual's loud whimpering early in the morning. When they went to check, they found the pooch with its tongue lolling out and some rope dangling from its mouth.

They suspected that Chao Nual had eaten the fish bait left on nearby riverbanks, but was injured while feasting on the food.

Footage shows the rescuers using pliers to cut the hook into smaller pieces while Chao Nual's owners held the canine's head in place.

The frightened pooch flinched and cried, but obediently bore the pain as the villagers slid the metal out of its flesh.

Following the successful 10-minute operation, Chao Nual lay on its owner's lap to recover.

Dum and Lek thanked the rescuers for their help and said they called them as they had no money to see the veterinarian.