When firefighters in Dortmund, Germany, got a call about an animal in distress, they didn’t expect such a feisty patient.
A passerby had spotted a little red squirrel wedged in the hole of a manhole cover, clearly stuck — but clearly not interested in being rescued.
The Good Samaritan who first tried to help quickly learned that the squirrel wasn’t in the mood for cooperation. He snapped and tried to bite, forcing her to call in the experts.
Soon, a crew of firefighters arrived with the tools — and the patience — to help.
“The firefighters lifted the manhole cover and carefully tried to free the frightened animal from the hole,” the Dortmund Fire Brigade said in a statement. “However, this turned out to be quite complicated, since the squirrel did not show himself to be cooperative.”
Despite the little guy’s best efforts to fight off his rescuers, the team persisted.
With careful hands (and probably a few scratches), they managed to ease him out of the hole at last.
The squirrel wasted no time showing his gratitude — or rather, not showing it at all.
As soon as he was free, he bolted straight up the nearest tree without so much as a backward glance.
The firefighters didn’t mind the lack of thanks. For them, the happy ending was enough: one stubborn squirrel safe, sound, and back where he belonged.
