Raccoon's St. Patrick's Day Heist Goes Awry In Vermont Tree Rescue

Fire crews in Shelburne, Vermont, had an unusual St. Patrick's Day rescue on their hands last week when they were called to help a raccoon that had gotten its head completely stuck inside a peanut butter jar. The unfortunate little one was discovered 25 feet high in a tree, unable to see or free itself from the clear plastic container.

The Shelburne Fire Department, which serves the small Lake Champlain community about 40 miles northwest of Montpelier, responded to the call from local water department workers who spotted the distressed animal. Firefighters used a ladder truck to reach the stranded raccoon, and carefully employed a snare tool to remove the jar without harming the animal.

After being freed, the raccoon remained perched in the tree momentarily before eventually making its way down. Fire officials noted that while the animal appeared uninjured, its pride may have taken a hit from the embarrassing predicament.