He had no way of escaping 😰
A Woman Heard Rustling in a Black Bag—What She Found Saved a Life
The other day in Kentucky, a homeowner spotted something odd: a black plastic bag spread out across her neighbor’s lawn. At first, it looked like discarded trash—until she heard a faint rustling sound coming from underneath.
Curious and concerned, she cautiously lifted the bag—and was shocked to discover a helpless skunk trapped inside a metal cage, barely clinging to air. Someone had covered the cage with the plastic bag, unintentionally cutting off oxygen. The skunk was in serious trouble.
The woman wasted no time. She called Second Chances Wildlife Center (SCWC), a local rescue organization, and a volunteer was dispatched immediately.
A Sad Mistake—and a Teachable Moment
When the SCWC volunteer arrived, they spoke with the couple living at the home. The couple admitted they’d placed the trap after the skunk repeatedly wandered into their garage. They covered it with a plastic bag in an effort to keep the skunk contained—but then walked away, not realizing the danger they had created.
“The volunteer that went to get him did a little bit of educating,” SCWC later wrote. “We are at least thankful for their cooperation.”
While their intention wasn’t malicious, the encounter served as an important reminder: wildlife should be handled humanely, and in most cases, left alone.
According to Humane World for Animals, the best way to deal with a curious skunk is simple:
- Remove food sources (like trash or pet food),
- Close off entry points (like open garages),
- And give them time to move along.
“Skunks are nocturnal and nonaggressive,” their site reads. “They play a beneficial role and usually leave on their own.”
A New Chance and a New Family
Back at the wildlife center, the skunk was examined and found to be thankfully unharmed. He spent the night in a cozy outdoor enclosure, finally able to breathe and rest.
But his story wasn’t over yet.
“This little skunk got two family members,” said Brigette Brouillard, SCWC’s founder and director.
Soon after his rescue, two more skunks joined him—and the trio quickly bonded. From life-threatening isolation to a loving, fuzzy family, this little skunk’s world had changed completely.
Now, under the watchful care of SCWC’s team, he’s thriving—enjoying food, companionship, and safety. When the time is right, he’ll be released back into the wild with his newfound companions by his side.
And it’s all thanks to one compassionate neighbor who didn’t ignore a plastic bag—or the sound of a life inside it.