MEDFORD — An 8-year-old coonhound missing from its foster family for a week was rescued from a drain pipe in this Burlington County township early Sunday, and those who saved the dog said it likely would not have survived one more day without food or water in the midst of the current heat wave.

The dog, named Dylan, is now being treated at Mount Laurel Animal Hospital, according to 6ABC Action News, and will be adopted into a forever home upon release.

By the time the nine-hour rescue effort concluded around 1 a.m. Sunday, 6ABC reported, Dylan had a 104-degree fever, had sustained paw and elbow burns, and was covered in ticks.

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The dog may have to undergo surgery for a deep elbow laceration, officials told 6ABC.

A neighbor was the first to hear Dylan barking, and subsequently a collaborative effort by police, fire, and utility crews finally freed the animal.

A representative from the Southern New Jersey Humane Tracking and Trapping Recovery Group told 6ABC it was "the toughest recovery that we've been involved with."

"It's very unbelievable that he's alive actually," Kathleen Tortu-Bowles said to reporters, joining in the sentiments of others involved in the miraculous rescue.

Patrick Lavery is a reporter and anchor for New Jersey 101.5. You can reach him at patrick.lavery@townsquaremedia.com

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