"Nala" went out in her backyard and got her head stuck in a steel tire rim Tuesday.
Her owner, Jasmine Bonilla, called authorities in Paterson.
An animal control officer arrived on the scene and soon realized he was going to need help freeing the 30-pound dog.
"Nala" snapped as firefighters used soap and sprayed water around the pit bull's neck.
Chief Animal Control Officer John De Cando tells The Record newspaper "Nala" was soon snoring after he tranquilized the dog so she would relax.
A firefighter grabbed the pit bull's snout and gently pushed.
"Nala" was free nearly two hours later.
