A raccoon found itself in an unfortunate position Thursday, but luckily, a team of firefighters came to its rescue.
Firefighters in Newton, Massachusetts undertook “quite the operation” to rescue a raccoon trapped in a storm grate, according to the Newton Fire Department.
Always willing to help our 4 legged friends! It was quite the operation. https://t.co/wgFXzrhnWQ
— Newton Fire (@NewtonFireDept) August 1, 2019
A bicyclist riding by first noticed the stuck raccoon and reported it to the fire department, which sent a fire truck to scene, Newton Fire Lieutenant Michael Bianchi told the Boston Globe.
“We sent a fire truck, and we tried to remove his head from the sewer grate with soap and water,” Bianchi said. But the attempt was unsuccessful — even with the soapy suds, the raccoon remained stuck.
Photos posted to social media showed the helpless raccoon gazing up from the metal grids of the grate, its little paws gripping the grate covering for support.
We were able to rescue a juvenile raccoon today with help from Waltham’s Animal Control. He had been stuck for a while but we are happy to report he is free!!! #newtonfire #nfd #newtonma pic.twitter.com/q7CYEQCCWZ
— Newton Fire (@NewtonFireDept) August 1, 2019
Waltham Animal Control was called in to assist with the operation and a veterinarian had to administer a sedative to the animal, according to Bianchi.
After the distressed raccoon was sedated, officials were able to free the animal. The whole rescue operation took two hours.
“We were able to rescue a juvenile raccoon today with help from Waltham’s Animal Control. He had been stuck for a while but we are happy to report he is free!” the Newton Fire Department announced on Twitter.
“We rescue citizens big and small!!!” the agency added.
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