As an officer in the Ocean Gate Police Department in New Jersey, it’s Jonathan Whitney’s job to serve and protect members of the community, even if that member runs on four legs rather than two. That’s why Ptl. Whitney didn’t hesitate to help when he spotted a skunk with its head stuck inside a Burger King orange juice carton earlier this month in Ocean Gate.
“I wanted to help it,” Whitney told NBC10.
Ptl. Whitney recorded himself as he tried to figure out how to help the animal.
“Come here buddy,” Whitney says in the 2 ½ minute clip. “You got to get this off your head, man.”
The situation was especially tense for the officer given the fact that he had already been sprayed by a skunk prior to the recorded encounter.
“I know how bad it was to get sprayed,” Whitney said. “My heart was racing the entire time.”
Despite his nervousness, Whitney knew he had to act quickly.
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“I realized that if I didn’t take it off, there was no way he was going to get that thing off,” Whitney said.
Whitney was finally able to remove the juice carton and the skunk scurried away. Whitney then smiled in front of the camera celebrating the successful rescue.
The video was posted on the Ocean Gate Police Department Facebook page back on Nov. 19 and has already been viewed over 23,600 times. The clip also comes with a disclaimer; if you see a wild animal in need, don’t approach it, and contact a professional instead.
“Please don’t do what I did,” Whitney said.
Check out the full video of the rescue above.
