Local News

‘Santa Squirrel’ rescued after a dog bone got stuck around his neck

When a squirrel kept hanging around a Hanover family’s yard, the family started calling him “Santa Squirrel” because of what they described as a “white fur beard” around his neck.

But after taking a picture of the animal and looking at it closely, the family realized that what they thought was white neck fur was actually a hollow dog bone lodged around the critter’s neck, according to the Animal Rescue League of Boston.

That’s when the family called the league for help.

https://twitter.com/ARLBoston/status/809838917134536704

The ARL Boston Rescue Services team arrived and set up a humane peanut butter trap in the family’s yard. They captured Santa Squirrel and took him to the organization’s Dedham shelter to see a veterinarian.

Advertisement:

Experts cut the bone from the squirrel’s neck after relaxing him with anesthesia.

The squirrel was then driven back to Hanover and released into the wild just in time for the holidays.

To comment, please create a screen name in your profile

Conversation

This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com