A fox somehow managed to get its head stuck into a car wheel.
The unlucky – or lucky, depending on how you look at it – animal had peered inside the alloy wheel and then been unable to get back out.
Thankfully the RSPCA along with firefighters managed to rescue him using special equipment to cut through the metal.
He was spotted in a garden of Addiscombe Court Road in Croydon, south London, on May 21.
The homeowners had been storing a spare wheel, and called the RSPCA for help as the fox was desperately trying to free himself.
They tried to do something themselves by applying grease to his neck to help him pull his head through, but this wasn’t working and the fox was becoming more distressed.
Kirstie said: ‘This poor fox was really struggling to free himself and was terrified, so I knew we had to act quickly.
‘His neck had swollen from where he’d been desperately tugging his head, so there was no way he was going to pull himself free.
‘Thankfully the London Fire Brigade were able to spare a bit of time to come out to the home, and while we waited, I offered him some water which he was grateful for!
‘The fire officers used special equipment to cut through the metal and free the fox. I checked the fox over and as he wasn’t injured I was able to release him.
‘I’m so grateful to the London Fire Brigade for sparing some of their time to help this fox – he really wouldn’t have been able to free himself without help from us all.’
The RSPCA urged people to keep a safe distance away and call the RSPCA for help and advice on 0300 1234 999 if they find a wild animal in distress.
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