Animal-loving police officers helped to revive a pet rat while on street patrol in Clacton.
PC Adam Westall and PC Pete Mayhew discovered the rodent as they were taking part in an operation to target vehicle crime.
The poorly animal was named Splinter by the officers after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character.
PC Westall, neighbourhood specialist officer for the Clacton central ward, said: "It ran out in front of me and stopped and looked up at me with its beady eyes.
"It was pouring with rain so I stooped down and put my hand out and it came to me - it was clearly domesticated.
"I cocooned him in my hands and he gave a shudder and died, but I tried to revive him by blowing into his whiskered nose and rubbing his belly.
"He then came round and I gave it a piece of chocolate that was bought for it by PC Mayhew."
The officer then put the animal into his pocket for the remainder of his patrol before taking him to Kaywood Pet Supplies, in Old Road, Clacton, where the rodent received intensive care.
Andrew Pierpoint, manager of the pet shop, said despite the officers' actions the animal later died.
- More in today's Gazette
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