This is the moment two homicide cops work together to free a distressed raccoon with its head stuck in a plastic jar.

The trapped creature had been spotted by the roadside in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania state, USA, on 17th July.

So detectives Bobby Shaw and Eddie Fallert set to work to free the raccoon and return it to the wild.

A video of the rescue shows the pair wrapping up the creature in fabric to stop it clawing at them.

Then they use boltcutters and molegrips to carefully slice through the jar’s neck until it’s wide enough to free the raccoon.

The raccoon, however, didn’t seem too grateful and ran off towards woodlands without a backwards glance.

Pittsburgh police chiefs dubbed the escapade “unusual day at the office.”

The Pittsburgh Bureau of Police said on 18th July: “For Pittsburgh Police Homicide Detectives Bobby Shaw and Eddie Fallert, July 17 was an unusual day at the office.

“Detective Fallert spotted a raccoon in distress on the North Side with a plastic jar stuck on its head.

“He immediately called Detective Shaw who arrived with box of tools from police headquarters.

“The two worked together to safely remove the object and watch the raccoon run away to freedom.”

They added: “Great job Detectives Shaw and Fallert!”