A Good Samaritan ripped a fence apart to rescue a baby raccoon whose leg was stuck between the slats.

Garrett Due had been called to remove a wasp’s nest from a house near Seattle, Washington, USA, when he heard dirt scratching nearby.

Heartwarming footage captured the 30-year-old pulling at one of the planks to release the raccoon’s trapped left foot that was wedged in one of the gaps.

After removing nails from the top of the fence, Garrett eventually ripped the wood off allowing the animal to wriggle free and walk away to recover.

Garrett said: “As I was returning to my vehicle, I heard what sounded like dirt and leaves rustling. I looked down to my left and saw the poor little raccoon.

“After examining everything, I assumed that it either was trying to walk on top of the fence and fell, catching its foot in-between the two fence planks or it was trying to climb over, misstepped and wedged its foot.

“The two fence planks were fastened wider at the top and became narrower towards the bottom, pinching its foot in place.

“Pushing the plank straight out would've caused more damage to the foot of the raccoon.

“I removed the nails in the top section of the fence plank to allow movement and also placed a screwdriver that was wider than the ankle at the base of its foot to protect it from any pinching or harm.

“I had to pull the plank one way and push its foot up and out of the fence. Releasing the animal took me about an hour.

“I saw some rash marks and cuts around its ankle but nothing that time wouldn't heal. Its foot was probably more asleep than anything.

“It was definitely happy to be released. As it walked away, it turned around and stared at me for a couple seconds, I felt like it was saying thank you.

“I felt really good about it, with the way the world is nowadays, it is always nice to do something good, especially for animals.”