NEARLY 30 calls were received by the RSPCA about animals affected by litter in Warwickshire.
The charity says the bigger picture across the country saw 4,000 calls made, including a duck tangled in a face mask, a baby hedgehog with plastic wrapped around her neck and a fox with his head caught in an old Cornish pasty wrapper.
It is urging people to help protect animals by picking up any litter they see lying around as well as ensuring they take their litter home with them or disposing of it properly.
Head of the RSPCA’s wildlife department Adam Grogan said: “Our staff deal with thousands of incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter – and they’re the ones that we know of. I’m sure for every animal we’re able to help there are many that go unseen, unreported and may even lose their lives.
“Litter is one of the biggest hazards our wildlife faces today and the pandemic has just added to the problem with many disposable masks just being discarded on the ground. These are a new danger to animals and we’ve been called out to rescue animals like ducks and gulls caught up in the masks’ elastic straps. That’s why we’re calling on the public to get involved in the Great British Spring Clean to help remove litter that may endanger animals.”
As well as everyday rubbish, the RSPCA also sees animals arriving into its care with injuries caused by angling litter such as discarded fishing line and hooks to plastic netting.
Calls were made about dozens of swans who swallowed or were pierced by old fishing hooks or became entangled in fishing line.
Adam added: “Animals who get their heads or necks stuck in litter can suffer severe injuries as they struggle to break free and can even suffocate, while others will slowly grow weaker and weaker as they try to hunt or find food or water.
“Others will get fishing line or netting cutting deep into their skin, affecting circulation and with wounds becoming seriously infected. These hazards can very quickly become a matter of life or death for these animals and action is urgently needed to tackle this problem head-on. It’s up to every one of us to do our bit in the war against litter.
“If members of the public see discarded litter we would encourage them to pick it up safely and put it in the bin, remembering to wash their hands after. Their action could save an animal’s life.”
Visit www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/events/springclean for more information.
