Rescuers of 'fat rat' that got stuck in manhole cover in Germany hit back at people calling for it to be killed

Jacob Jarvis27 February 2019

Animal rescuers who saved a fat rat from a manhole cover have defended their actions criticising "despicable" people who say they should have killed it.

The rotund rodent was helped out of her sticky sewer situation in Germany and images of the mission to free her have spread widely since.

Rescuers were widely praised for their efforts, but there has also been a backlash over their actions with some heartless individuals calling for the rat to be exterminated.

Animal rescue group Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar said questions over the cost of the rescue are justified, but people's bloodthirsty responses were not.

The rat was squirming as it tried to free itself
Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar

They said in a statement: “What was really nice to us is the innumerable many positive mails we got.

"But there is also a lot of criticism, which we naturally accept.

“But what we find completely unacceptable is the hatred of a small creature and the comments on the killing of the animal.

“Everyone may have their opinion on it, but on our side we do not tolerate any despicable calls for killing an animal!”

The rat was unharmed after the rescue
Berufstierrettung Rhein Neckar

The group, which is a non-profit organisation, further thanked those who had been supportive and said it welcomed donations.

The now famous rat has earned itself thousands of fans on social media with people saying her predicament was the "most relatable thing ever."

A team of at least nine people attended to unleash the rat from the manhole cover in the town of Bensheim after it was spotted by a young girl.

An animal rescuer attempted the mission at first but required help from firefighters to pull up the manhole cover.

Footage showed the helpless animal squirming around as the covering was lifted.

Wedges were put underneath to keep it up and the item was tipped to help free the creature.

The animal, described as having "a lot of winter flab" was unharmed after its release, which happened at around 2.35pm on Sunday.

It went straight into the sewer after being helped out of its squeeze.

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