A BIRD stuck in a tree caused big problems for firefighters - then attacked the RSPCA officer who had earlier tried to save it.
The rook was caught up in string, 20ft up a big tree, on Ravenshouse Road, Scout Hill, Dewsbury, about 8am yesterday.
Worried residents called the RSPCA, but an inspector could not get up the tree.
So she called firefighters for help at 11am.
Sub-officer Charlie Coates, of Dewsbury fire station, said: "We got the call as a bird stuck up a tree, which bemused us a bit.
"But when we knew the call had come from the RSPCA we knew it wasn't a hoax."
But it did turn out to be a headache for them.
Sub-officer Coates added: "The bird was right out on the thin branches. There was no way we could reach it.
"The branches were not strong enough for a firefighter to climb up, so we had to get permission from a senior officer to call in a hydraulic platform."
The platform was duly sent from Wakefield fire station.
Firefighters went up in the platform and discovered the rook was badly caught up in what seemed like kite string.
They freed it from the tree using pliers and brought it down.
But when the RSPCA officer started to cut the rest of the string off, the rook pecked her hard on the finger.
She then had to prise its beak apart to free it.
"The bird must have been exhausted," said Sub-officer Coates.
"It was put in a box to take it to be checked over by a vet. Once inside just lay on the bottom," he said.
