Police officers in Büren, Westphalia, suddenly found themselves on a night-time mission against a biting giant rat.
Gambian giant hamster rat "Rico" escaped its owner from a cage when he was driving to a breeder to give the rat that had grown too big for him, the police in Paderborn reported on Wednesday.
But the intelligent animal was able to open the cage.
When it suddenly appeared next to the driver, he was frightened and tore the steering wheel into a dangerous swerve into the oncoming lane.
In an emergency bay, various attempts to catch "Rico" again failed.
Instead, "Rico" bit several times.
The 33-year-old finally called the police for help.
Despite the numerical superiority, the lively big rodent could not be maneuvered into his box.
Only after almost an hour did the animal's hunger finally come to the aid of the emergency services: "Rico" could not resist the food in his box and slipped inside.
This time the door was locked better.
Gambian giant hamster rats (Cricetomys gambianus) can grow up to 80 centimeters long including the tail.
"Rico" was not yet fully grown.
The animals are used to search for landmines.