COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A tiny kitten still has nine of its lives intact after a commercial truck driver about to get on the Ohio Turnpike found the feline in the vehicle's wheel well.
A body-camera video posted on social media by the Ohio State Highway Patrol in Northeast Ohio showed the rescue that took the efforts of three people to accomplish.
"Watch this meow-velous rescue of a kitten stuck in a semi's wheel well," the post's caption read. "This seemingly im-paw-sible rescue mission had a happy ending...thanks to the purrfect teamwork by all on scene!????????"
When the operation began, the fluffy grey-and-white kitten fiercely held its position between two semi-truck tires. It became apparent to the rescuers that reaching in to pull the cat out would not work.
"Its paw's stuck," the truck driver said inspecting the situation. "It's holding on with its claw."
The decision was made to remove the tires and have the OSHP officer grab the cat before it ran away.
"I'm gonna lean it against this way," said one of the rescuers referencing the tire. "So you guys got to be ready to go in there and catch it. Got gloves on?"
After the second tire was lifted the officer grasped the stunned kitten and placed it into a box without incident.
The end of the video included members of the Portage Animal Protective League, who arrived to pick up the animal.
"She just tried to find a place to hide and thankfully you found her before you drove off," said one of the women from the shelter addressing the truck driver.
"That's the crazy part," added the officer.
