WATCH: Skunk rescue shows why you should properly store your garbage this winter

It wasn't a pleasant encounter for this Toronto skunk, which became entangled with a plastic cup

This story is a helpful reminder to always properly store your garbage, particularly at this time of the year, when animals will be out and about looking to stock up on food before winter.

Last week, Toronto Animal Services was called to a residence in Toronto to help a poor skunk that got its head lodged in a plastic ice cream cup after it was scouring the neighbourhood for food. The plastic ring from the cup was entangled around the skunk’s neck, which could have caused air circulation to get cut off.

While attempting to free it, a wildlife officer put a towel over the skunk as protection from any potential spray being emitted from the animal.

Thankfully, the story has a happy ending -- the skunk was freed and there was no spray discharged.

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SERVES AS A REMINDER TO PROPERLY SECURE GARBAGE

Toronto Animal Services pointed out it’s dangerous to discard ice cream cups containing liquid as they become an attractant for animals. It’s also getting colder, so animals like this will be looking for unnatural sources of food.

"Luckily, we were able to arrive before the skunk disappeared and even more luckily, we realized that the clear plastic ring was also stuck around his neck, which is bad, as his air circulation can be cut off quickly," Toronto Animal Services tweeted.

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