Video: EMS Responders Work Together to Free Trapped Squirrel

PETA Compassionate Action Awards along with a batch of tasty vegan cookies are on their way from PETA to Ralph Armstrong and Keith Taylor of the Enfield EMS after the two men worked together on August 12 to free a squirrel whose head was stuck in a plastic yogurt cup.

The compassionate first responders likely saved the squirrel from starvation or being struck by a vehicle as she struggled to free herself. It’s the second such incident PETA has seen in less than a week. First responders from Peel Regional Paramedic Services in Mississauga, Ontario, also received a Compassionate Action Award after they came to the aid of a skunk whose head had become lodged inside a cup.

Fortunately, incidents such as this one are easy to prevent. PETA offers tips for keeping animals who are drawn to food remains from getting stuck in the containers, including the following:

• Keep all garbage in tightly sealed, chew-proof containers.
• Rinse out tin cans, put the tops inside so that they can’t slice animals’ tongues, and crush the open end of the cans as flat as possible.
• Rinse out plastic and glass containers and replace the lids before putting them in the recycling bin.
• Cut open empty cardboard and plastic containers so that squirrels and other small animals can’t get their faces or heads trapped in them.
• Drop pop-tops into empty aluminum cans so that they cannot cut an animal’s mouth or throat.
• Cut apart all sections of plastic six-pack rings, including the inner diamonds.