The chubby rat got stuck in a sewer cap – look how many people come out to help him

This rat was stuck in a sewer cap and thought he would never be rescued.

But then a group of people started to gather around him staring at this chubby rodent desperately trying to break free.

Eventually this furry friend sparked a rescue operation involving many volunteers and firefighters, writes The Dodo

 

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

Volunteer animal rescuers from Germany’s Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar were contacted by a local family who were concerned for the fat rat stuck in the hole.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

He had been wedged in the sewer cover for a while and probably thought he would never be free.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

It all took place in the small town of Bensheim in southern Hesse, Germany.

The rat had clearly underestimated the fat he had accumulated during the long winter and thought he could make it through.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

The animal heroes gathered around the rat and discussed the best rescue method.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

Although the animal was in desperate need of help, Andreas Steinbach at the Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar told The Dodo that he was in “really good condition.”

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

At first, they thought it would be enough with the tool they had brought with them.

But the rat was wedged too tightly and they feared their instrument may injure him so they reverted to plan B.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

They realized that they had to lift the cap and free the rat from underneath.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

They used a number of different tools to lift the heavy sewer cap. The volunteers worked hard to rescue the rodent.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

Then success, as they finally managed to prize the cap off.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

You can see from the picture below that the rat nearly made it out of the hole but the fattest part of him had been his downfall.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

The volunteers free him from the other side of the sewer cap with help from volunteer firefighters.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

Even curious passers-by in the area stopped to see what was going on.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

It was a lengthy operation freeing this chubby rat.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

The rat takes one last look at his rescuers before disappearing back into the sewer.

“He made a brief look back at us, as if to say, ‘Thank you — and yes, I know I need to go on a diet,” Steinbach told The Dodo.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

Afterwards, local children came to thank the rat’s rescuers and give them drawings they had created for them.

Einsatznummer: 217/2019Datum: 24.02.2019 um 13:50 Uhr Einsatzort: Schillerstrasse, 64625 Bensheim – Auerbach…

Posted by Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar on Sunday, February 24, 2019

What a great team effort to help this poor rodent! 

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