Michigan State Police Rescue Suburban Skunk In Distress

ROYAL OAK TWP. (WWJ) - Michigan State Police troopers came out smelling like roses when they rescued a suburban skunk that got itself stuck.

Troopers with the MSP Metro North Post responded, Thursday morning, to the 21000 block of Glen Lodge in Royal Oak Township on a report of a "savage skunk."

When they arrived to investigate, Michigan State Police Lt. Mike Shaw says they found the little guy wasn't threatening, but had managed to get a yogurt cup stuck on his little head.

"And it was kind of just running around everywhere and spraying and was pretty much in distress," Shaw told WWJ's Chrystal Knight.

Shaw said the troopers put a call in to animal control and were informed that they don't handle those types of problems.

So — risking a stink — the troopers decided to take matters into their own hands.

"They kind of came up with a plan," Shaw said. "The older trooper, and probably the smarter one, used a wooden pole to kind of guide the skunk in a certain direction and distract him a little bit. The younger and faster trooper ran up as fast as he could, gently removed the cup from his head and ran off before he was sprayed."

Shaw said the troopers were very fortunate, as was the animal.

"The skunk gave a quick nod of appreciation and ran off into the woods. Both troopers went about their (businesses), went back to work without needed a tomato juice bath."

State police say they will continue to provide service with a purpose to all members of the community, human or animal alike. "One of the many things our troopers are doing every day out there," Shaw said.

No one was hurt.