Skunk With Jar Stuck On Its Head Rescued In Upstate New York

A Stinky Situation

Sometimes the smallest moments can leave the biggest impression, and this one happened after a curious critter stuck his nose where it didn’t belong.

An Upstate New York mom is sharing a heartfelt "thank you" after a very unusual start to her morning, one that involved a frightened skunk, a stuck jar, and a deputy who stepped in to help.

Aurora Sibley of Broome County (about two hours southwest of Albany) posted on Facebook about the unexpected scene that unfolded around 7:30 AM on Wednesday morning while she was getting her kids ready for school.

In the middle of the usual morning chaos, a neighbor alerted her that a skunk was running around with a jar stuck on its head.
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Sheriff's Office Came Quickly

Sure enough, there it was, scared, stressed, and unable to free itself.

Sibley said her first thought was making sure her kids stayed safe, but she also felt awful for the struggling animal, and that's when they called the Broome County Sheriff’s Office for help.

The officer jumps away, fearing a spray after he released the trapped critter. Photo: Screengrabbed from Facebook

According to Sibley, a deputy arrived quickly and handled the situation with patience and compassion. Rather than rushing through the call, the deputy carefully assessed the situation and safely removed the jar without harming the skunk.

Check out the video below, you can see the officer jump back after he freed the trapped animal, worrying that he might get sprayed - which he didn't!

Serving the Community with Kindness

Her kids watched the entire rescue from inside the house, and she said they were fascinated. What they witnessed, she said, was someone serving the community with kindness.

“He didn’t treat it like a nuisance call,” Sibley wrote. “He reassured us, made sure the area was safe, and handled everything with professionalism and care.”

She even gave a shoutout to Sheriff Fred Akshar, saying the deputy made a lasting impression on her kids — and their family won’t forget it.

If you find a distressed, injured, or orphaned wild animal in New York, contact a DEC-licensed wildlife rehabilitator immediately. For urgent situations, call the DEC Regional Wildlife Office or Environmental Conservation Officers at 1-877-457-5680