An Illinois local sheriff’s office deputy was off work for a few days for personal leave. When she went back to work and was about to take her squad car for her routine rounds, she noticed one of the headlights was faulty and decided she needed to fix it as soon as possible. She had no idea how the story would develop…
Peace Office
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is located in Illinois. The department employs over 400 people and their online website states that they are “conservators of the peace.”
Peace Office
Stories from the Job
While on duty, officers have a lot of experiences that make really good stories to tell! Every officer has many different stories, some of which involve unforgettable life experiences.
Back At Work
Broken Light
This story starts with an Illinois Sheriff Deputy who took a scheduled break from serving and protecting (everyone deserves a holiday every now and again!) and came back to something unexpected on her first day back at work. The day began well, and the officer was excited to get back to doing her public duty, however, after a quick inspection of her car, she noted that it wasn’t of the optimal safety for regular patrol.
Broken Light
Damaged Wires
Even though it was a minor problem, she knew he had to take his car into the mechanic. She pulled into the mechanic shop and asked the mechanic to repair and maintain the damaged light on the passenger side of the vehicle.
Damaged Wires
Was it Rodents?
As the bulb was being inspected, she suspected it was just a regular light that needed to be fixed, and that it wouldn’t take much time to get done. What the deputy didn’t know was how deep the issue was. It was not until the mechanic started working on it that she realized what was actually going on.
Was it Rodents?
A Clue to the Problem
As he got to work, the mechanic realized there was something strange. Being a mechanic he was used to all sorts of strange and odd things, but this would be an entirely new encounter for him.
A Clue To The Problem
Career Surprise
The deputy, Sandra Rogers, in an interview on June 23, 2017, told reporters about the mechanic’s discoveries. She noted that as the mechanic was repairing the headlight he had noticed a few of the wires were chewed.
Career Surprise
Back to the Mechanic
There were a lot of things that could have caused this situation to happen. One of the most obvious seemed to be the possibility of rodents, and if the car had not been in use for a while, then they could have easily gotten in and done the extensive damage.
Back To The Mechanic
Leaves Collection
Wherever these little critters access, they often cause a lot of damage to the area. Numerous issues led to the possibility of the wires being chewed by rats, but the mechanic got to work nonetheless.
Leaves Collection
A First
As the mechanic looked deeper, he realized there was another strange issue going on with the headlight. When he pulled the light out and noticed the wiring damages, they looked really weird and not like something he had seen before. Rogers noted that as the mechanic started repairing the wires, he came across a lot of leaves gathered in the area of the vehicle.
A First
Confirmed Suspicions
As the mechanic began working, he assumed that his suspicions were correct – that rats were the cause of the damaged wires. Following the trail of leaves, they noticed the main source behind what the real problem was. As the mechanic was repairing the works, the deputy went back to his duties and awaited the results.
Confirmed Suspicions
Regular Work
The mechanic thought it was just a broken headlight and that the repair would just be a regular job like any other task. The deputy didn’t know what was happening to her car when she left it at the shop, and only after receiving a call from the mechanic did she start getting the details.
Regular Work
Not According to Plan
The phone call to the deputy’s office sounded that something was wrong, and the general repair plans were not all going as planned. The mechanic called the office and told the deputy that she needed to come in as the situation at hand could not be discussed over the phone.
Not According to Plan
Unexpected News
The deputy was eager to learn what was happening, so she borrowed another service vehicle and headed out to the workshop. When the deputy came in, the mechanic showed her what was going on in his car. This was not what she had expected to see at all!
Unexpected News
The Return
As to what was happening, the deputy was pretty clueless and didn’t know what to think. Somehow she expected the worst while the car was being repaired—the mechanic showed her all that was going on in her car, especially with the pile-up of leaves.
The Return
Rodents, But Not Rats!
As the deputy looked closer, she saw something that was definitely not ordinary. Rogers noted that as she pulled closer to look in the bunch of leaves, she saw four baby squirrels curled up together. The mechanic also never thought he would experience anything like this in his entire life or career working on cars.
Rodents, But Not Rats!
Regular Case
Deputy Rogers was pretty shocked at what she saw – even more so, because usually, the mommy squirrel stays close to her babies, but this seemed like she had gone into the car and left her babies there. There were four baby squirrels, and the mechanic admitted it was the first time he had ever seen something like this.
Regular Case
Taking Things Apart
The mechanic felt really emotional at seeing these four helpless animals and didn’t want to hurt the babies he had quickly fallen in love with! He carefully pulled parts of the car apart so that he could remove the nest with the squirrels safely. Surprisingly, they were still asleep while they were being taken from the car.
Taking Things Apart
Careful Move
“The baby squirrels were still asleep when they were being taken out by the mechanic,” Deputy Rogers noted. After all, what do you expect we would do with the babies? The nest was pulled from an officer’s car.
Careful Move
Taking Care of Them
The deputy thought that seeing the squirrels were removed from her car, she would be responsible for them. They were so tiny and cute as their eyes were still closed. They were tucked in a little circle in the bundle of leaves. As soon as all the squirrels were out of the car, the deputy decided to take them home.
Taking Care Of Them
Reconnection
Deputy Rogers didn’t have plans to keep the squirrels as she only wanted to keep them safe until she could reunite them with their mommy. She took the baby squirrels and put them in a box and took them to the car she had borrowed to drive to the mechanic.
Reconnection
Staying Warm
The deputy kept them in a box on the ground and added a hot water bottle so they would stay warm. As they were there, the deputy hoped the mother squirrel was still in the area and would come around and get her babies.
Staying Warm
Starting to Worry
As the babies were still there, the deputy was getting worried that she had made the wrong decision as the mother squirrel didn’t turn up even after an hour. After hours of waiting and watching, the deputy noticed a grown squirrel starting to drift closer to the box to inspect what was going on.
Starting To Worry
Returning
The mother was drawn to the box as she heard her babies crying of hunger. The mother peeked over in the box and saw her babies and took one out by the neck and ran away. However, interestingly, after taking one out, she ran away and never came back.
Returning
Heading Home
Rogers waited patiently to see if the mother would return, but she didn’t for a while. The deputy noted she had the assumption she would come back for them when it gets dark as she didn’t feel safe moving them during the day. After all, she already took one out.
Heading Home
During the Night
It was somehow clear that she would return for her babies once daylight disappeared, and the deputy was so sure of this. Believing the mommy would return for them one at a time, the deputy still had her doubts that she may have messed with the nest, and the mom wouldn’t come back for them at all.
During The Night
Nature’s Wonder
Nature is the best, and as they had thought, the mommy did return for her babies and took them away one at a time. She took them to a new home, and the deputy was hoping it was safer than the first spot they were in.
Natures Wonder
Lingering Question
Amidst everything that was going on, the deputy had a deep question… why did the squirrel leave her babies in the car? It turns out it was not that uncommon for squirrels as they often build nests in cars to have the heat from the car keeping their babies warm.
Lingering Question
Comfortable Spot
The inside of the car explained the clear need to have a lot of warmth from the engine, and this, in return, creates a comfortable spot. However, wherever they choose to stay, they sure know how to create a lot of mess with nuts, leaves, and acorns they take in.
Comfortable Spot
Danger
It may seem cute that they lodge in these places, but it can also be very dangerous. The Canadian Wildlife Federation noted the issue is serious and happens a lot in rural areas. The authorities noted the best way to decrease things like this from happening is to leave the boot open so the car can cool down and become less hot, and therefore less welcoming for wildlife.
Danger
How to Prevent
During colder times, the car is a most unpleasant place for something like this to happen. Another interesting way to deter these critters is to add “bad-tasting rubs” to the wires, so they won’t find it enticing to have a nibble. You can use things like bitter apple spray, which has a bad taste but is still safe for the squirrels.
How To Prevent
Advice from the Mechanic
Before you take any measures in preventing these animals from lodging in your car, it is best to get advice from your mechanic or veterinarian as to which step is best so no one gets hurt. You can keep the squirrels away, keep your property safe, while still not causing damage to the wildlife.
Advice From The Mechanic
Samaritan’s Step
Squirrels can be a little tricky and troublesome when they want to be, but showing care is what you need to do. Taking an example from the good deeds of the deputy which show just how you could treat them and respond in a similar situation.
Samaritans Step
Great Ending
Because those involved were kindhearted, everything ended well. If the baby squirrels didn’t get reconnected with their mother or they weren’t found when they were, it most probably would have ended tragically. We are sure the squirrels are happy with what Deputy Rogers did for them.
Great Ending
Deterrent Spray
The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) suggests people can use bitter apple spray as the scent is said to drive squirrels away and keep them at bay, without being harmful. Also, it is said that curry powder and peppermint have a way of keeping them away.
Deterrent Spray
Be Cautious
Before using the alternative methods, however, authorities warn against peppermint and your pets and children as it could be harmful if used in too high of a high quantity.
Be Cautious
Another Alternative
In addition to the methods noted earlier, you could also use “smell” as a way of scaring these squirrels off. Using pet hair in terms of sprinkling it in your car or using a bag of cat litter will give off the scent or expression of a “scarier animal.”
Another Alternative
Using Intimidation
The smell of another animal will create some sense of intimidation for the squirrels. However, take note that whatever you put in your car, you do not damage it or break it. For help, ask your mechanic for assistance.
Using Intimidation
Follow the Guidelines
The MCSO has detailed a lot of tips and examples you can follow. A lot of people see squirrels as mainly annoying critters, which is rather sad. However, for Deputy Rogers and the others, they were given the same care as any other living thing.
Follow The Guidelines
Going All Out
This law enforcement team went all out to ensure the babies and mommy were safe, and it was more than their regular call of duty. Their example made it clear how we should act and respond in similar situations.
Going All Out
Not Only Squirrels
Based on similar car-related findings, not only squirrels find their way in cars, but cats too have a way of creeping in, especially during the winter seasons. They always seem to find the perfect warm and comfortable spot there.
Not Only Squirrels
Cold Seasons
When it gets cold, cats are like squirrels who want the perfect spot so that they can get warm and cuddle up. To save yourself some drama and stress of hurting any potential animals, it is safest to give your hood a few knocks before you drive out. This way, you will know if any animals are there.
Cold Seasons
Make a Check
Checking to see if your hood is clear is one of the best ways to save animals’ lives (as well as your car!). After all, it takes just a few seconds, and if you believe cats are too big for your car hood, think again!
Make A Check
Multiple Stories
If you search the internet each day, you will realize there are numerous stories about cats getting stuck in different car hoods and only after a long drive they are found. A lot of the stories end well when the cats are found alive, but on most occasions, the story ends painfully.
Multiple Stories
Stay Vigilant
You may be asking what the moral of this story is… Well, what we are telling you is to remain vigilant and listen or lookout for any strange occurrences in your car. A simple bang on the hood can give you a lot of information, and you’ll be pleased when you see the outcome of this little act of thoughtfulness and kindness.
Stay Vigilant