A wedged hog and a heat-seeking snake are the Lancashire entries in the RSPCA list of the funniest rescues of 2020

The podgy hedgehog had to be ‘chiselled’ out of a tiny gap where he’d got stuck between a tree and a concrete pillar in Blackpool.

RSPCA inspector Will Lamping was called to the garden in July after a woman was alerted to his plight by her dog. He said: “He was on his side so he’d clearly tried to push through the tiny gap and got stuck fast.

“The landlord was a joiner so we helped him chisel away at the tree to widen the gap and carefully lift the hog out.”

Nicknamed Sonic, by the caller, the freed hedgehog was taken to a vet for a check-up and released back into the garden a few days later.

Meanwhile, in Southport, a couple had a ssssshock when they went to fix their faulty tumble dryer and found a 4ft snake hiding behind it!

The Royal Python was found in the utility room of their home in December. RSPCA officer David Hatton, who went to collect the snake, said: “I’m not sure how he managed to get into the utility room, but he was probably attracted to the warmth of the dryer.”

The snake – believed to be an escaped pet – is now being cared for by the charity.

Among the other rescues which made the top 20 of the funniest rescues was newborn calf, who was lucky to be saved after getting stuck neck-high in mud.

The calf ventured into a boggy pond that had dried up in the hot weather and began to sink into the mud. Inspector Ryan King was called to Rochdale, Greater Manchester, in May after a tram driver spotted him and feared he might drown.

Ryan said: “I managed to get a towel under his nose to keep his head above the mud and water and make sure he could breathe while I set about freeing him.”

He waded into the mud, wrapped a towel around him like a sling, pulled him free and carried him out.

In Bradford, West Yorkshire, a lost billy goat needed help after being found at a bus stop! He’d been causing quite a stir in the town when officers were called to help him in June.

Inspector Emily Stodart said: “It’s certainly not something you see every day! When we got there, we found he had been making his way through a few gardens before stopping at the bus stop!”

Officers caught him and took him to a nearby yard for boarding.

If you find an animal in need of help, please contact the RSPCA’s emergency hotline on 0300 1234 999 for advice.

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