An unfortunate squirrel managed to break into a bird-feeder designed to keep him out and had to be rescued by the RSPCA because it was too fat to escape.
A woman in Hartlepool when checking on the nut supply for the birds in her garden, discovered the chunky squirrel trapped by the metal bars of the bird feeder.
Following a frantic call to the RSPCA, a rescue officer used wire cutters to free the trapped grey squirrel which then boldly ran off to enjoy his newfound freedom.
The RSPCA officer said: “This greedy boy must have gone in - even though this is a squirrel-proof feeder - and obviously he had such a good feed he got wedged and was unable to exit.
"Luckily his predicament was spotted or he could have endured prolonged suffering.
Wire cutters used to free 'greedy boy'
RSPCA
"He was obviously frightened but otherwise appeared unscathed from his ordeal - however he probably needs to lay off the nuts for a while.
"I freed him in situ, as we're legally allowed to do, and as soon as he was free he made a quick getaway - which was good to see."
The RSPCA has asked home-owners to check bird-feeders - even supposedly squirrel-proof ones - regularly, and to call for help if they find a trapped animal.
The charity also said that, although grey squirrels are considered an invasive alien species and cannot legally be released back into the wild if taken into care for rehabilitation or treatment, they can be legally released in situ."
The 'greedy boy' squirrel
RSPCA