Attacking pit bulls trying to get to a stray kitten hiding in the engine compartment of a Southern California minivan flattened the vehicle's tire and chewed away big chunks of the fender and bumper.

Four pit bull terriers had chased the kitten into the Dodge minivan engine compartment.

The vehicle's owner changed the tire on Monday and drove 25 miles from Banning to Palm Springs before he discovered the 7-week-old kitten, which had moved into a hollow part of the front bumper.

The Desert Sun of Palm Springs (mydesert.co/Smlvag) reports an animal control officer freed the kitten following a 40-minute process that involved removing the bumper.

The kitten is OK and available for adoption at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter.

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Information from: The Desert Sun, http://www.mydesert.com/