Pointy problem: Two puppies stuck in cactus rescued outside Arizona home

“I came running out with pliers, everything I could find to start pulling out (stickers),” Abel, who does not own the animals, told the television station. “But they were covered.”

Abel remained with her Chihuahua-mix puppies while her neighbor called firefighters and Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. Officials then were able to free the dogs from the chollas species of cactus and get them medical attention, KTVK reported.

Chollas are native to the Southwest and have "wicked spines with a nasty habit of getting stuck in skin," according to GardeningKnowhow.com. Removing cholla spines, which tend to be barbed, is more difficult than removing straighter ones, the website said.

Abel said she does not know who owns the puppies, according to KTVK.