Skunk freed from jar, no one sprayed

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo., March 22 (UPI) -- Colorado wildlife officials said no one was injured or sprayed when an officer freed a skunk from an empty peanut butter jar.

State Division of Wildlife spokesman Randy Hampton said a homeowner called authorities about 10 a.m. Saturday to report the skunk was wandering around the resident's yard with its head apparently stuck in a jar, The (Grand Junction) Daily Sentinel reported Monday.

Hampton said the officer used a noose affixed to the end of a 6-foot pole to grip the jar and guide the animal away from the yard. The officer spent about 10 minutes removing the container from the animal's head, Hampton said.

The skunk "took off and ran toward a television guy," he said. "Only the media around there were at risk, and nobody was injured or sprayed."

Hampton said the skunk likely became stuck while digging through some trash.