He couldn’t believe they were there to help.

Last week, officers from Alabama’s Springville Police Department received an unusual call from a concerned homeowner — kicking off one of their most memorable animal rescues.

The homeowner had discovered a young coyote standing next to a tree in his yard. Somehow, both the animal’s hind limbs had become stuck in a forked split in the tree’s narrow trunk.

The poor coyote was trapped — and understandably terrified when the officers arrived to help.

Officers quickly freed one of the coyote’s paws from its wedged position in the tree, but the other couldn’t be lifted out so easily.

As the frightened animal looked on, barking in fear from having people so close, the officers tried several methods to widen the fork in the tree enough to allow his limb to slip out. They were there to save his life — even if that was a fact the coyote was incapable of imagining.

Thankfully, the coyote appeared to be no worse for the wear after his harrowing ordeal, disappearing into the woods immediately after.

And though he may have been doubtful of their good intentions, the officers’ act of kindness prevailed.