Fire Crew Called To Free Chunky Little Rat Who'd Gotten Stuck In A Manhole Cover

You've heard about firefighters rescuing cats in trees, but what about freeing rats from sewers?

Emergency services in the German town of Bensheim were called to help local animal rescue group Berufstierrettung Rhein Necka after a well-built rodent became wedged in a manhole cover.

The female rat required the assistance of seven firefighters, who lifted the grate first and then "lassoed" the not-so-tiny creature to safety.

And by safety, we mean back into the sewer.

"She had a lot of winter flab and was stuck fast at her hip - there was no going forward or back," animal rescuer Michael Sehr said, reports BBC News.

It's certainly a lot of effort to go to for an animal usually associated with the plague, but Sehr's taking the "all creatures, great and small" mantra to heart.

"Even animals that are hated by many deserve respect," he added.

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