ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office will receive People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' Compassion Action Award for saving a raccoon's life after it got its head stuck in a peanut butter jar.
Sharon Moyer woke up a little earlier than she normally does Wednesday morning. Moyer's dog was barking because something was happening in her back yard.
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IMAGES: Raccoon rescued
"You know your dog's bark. You know if it's an 'I got something' bark, 'come see what it is' bark, and that's what they were doing," Moyer said.
Once Moyer made it outside, she found a raccoon perched on her fence with a peanut butter jar stuck on its head. Moyer tried to free the raccoon from the jar, but couldn't and called for help.
"My first thought was, 'Oh, not again,' because we see it all the time," said St. Johns County Agricultural Deputy George Letts. "I've caught a lot of animals with yogurt containers, peanut butter jars, six pack holders. It's not unusual."
Letts and two other deputies from the Sheriff's Office responded to the call. The group was able to get the raccoon down from the fence and cut the jar off its face, but the animal had passed out, apparently from lack of oxygen. Letts performed chest compressions on the raccoon, who soon regained consciousness and wandered off somewhat dazed from the ordeal but otherwise fine.
"Thanks to the know-how and compassion of Deputy Letts and the others involved in this heart-warming rescue, this raccoon got a second chance at life," said PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. "PETA salutes the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office for standing ready to protect and serve not only human residents but also the wildlife who call the area home."
The Sheriff's Office will receive a framed certificate and a letter of appreciation.