Firefighter rescued a chubby rat in Germany sewer, becomes an internet star

FA curvaceous rat in Bensheim, Germany, is making international headlines after an embarrassing mishap ― getting stuck in a manhole cover. The reason the situation is getting so much attention is probably because even in the face of adversity, the rat looked ridiculously cute.

A rat with a little extra winter fat got herself stuck while trying to pass through a sewer grate. The animal rescue group learned about the stuck rat after a young girl Witnesses called rescue organisation Rhein Neckar to get it out, but its attempts failed and the local fire brigade was called in. Together, they were able to lift up the cover and free the rat. Firefighters praised the grate out of the ground and propped it up on wedges while animal rescuer Michael Sehr gently popped the rat free.

“She had a lot of winter flab and was stuck fast at her hip — there was no going forward or back,” animal rescuer Michael Sehr told local media, Rescuers, including the local fire brigade, used a pole with a loop at the end to hold the squeaking rat still while they lifted up the manhole cover. Then, they released the rat, unharmed, back into the sewer.

Some people questioned why such a large operation was needed to save a single rat. But Sehr responded to these questions by referring to the golden rule. “Even animals that are hated by many deserve respect,” he said.

Despite most rats’ extreme flexibility, it’s not uncommon for a chubby rat to get stuck in holes. Most overweight rats have fat around their bodies, including their abdomens, and this added layer can make it difficult for them to squeeze through small spaces, according to Wildlife Animal Control.

This often happens when rats underestimate their body size. “In most cases, rats can get stuck by the head and shoulder and it could be difficult for them to get loose, however rats that get stuck by the abdomen may still find it easier to escape,” Wildlife Animal Control reported