Litter can be a menace to our wildlife, says RSPCA

Cats and other wildlife get heads stuck in discarded cans

THE RSPCA has received more than 21,600 reports of animals injured or caught in litter over the past five years, new stats reveal.

In Leicestershire alone, 321 calls about animals affected by litter were made to the RSPCA across that period.

The animal welfare charity is urging people who are going out more since lockdown restrictions were eased to ensure they are taking their litter home with them or disposing of it properly and responsibly.

Over the past five years, the

RSPCA’s emergency hotline in England and Wales has received 6,466 calls about animals affected by general litter, such as tin cans, plastic bottles and elastic bands.

There have also been 15,183 reports relating to animals injured or caught in angling litter.

“There have been a further 12,904 reports of animals and birds trapped in netting, which includes that discarded as rubbish and also sports netting or netting put on bushes or trees to deter birds.

The charity’s frontline officers are regularly called to help cats, birds and wildlife who have got themselves tangled in rubbish.

The head of the RSPCA’s wildlife team, Adam Grogan, said: “Our staff are dealing with thousands of incidents every year where animals and birds 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 it’s something that’s very easy to resolve. That’s why we’re calling on the public to take extra care to clear up after they’ve been out for a walk or enjoyed a picnic in the woods.

“Now that the Government has eased the lockdown restrictions, we’re sure lots of families will be out and about in nature. But it’s our job to protect nature and that includes properly and responsibly disposing of our litter so that animals can’t be hurt.”

As well as everyday rubbish, the RSPCA also sees many animals arriving into its care with injuries caused by angling litter such as discarded fishing line and plastic netting.

Mr Grogan said: “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.”

Mr Grogan added: “The majority of anglers do dispose of their litter properly and it is frustrating that those who don’t possibly don’t realise how dangerous it is to animals.

“Discarded line in particular is a terrible hazard for wildlife, particularly as it can be almost invisible.”

The RSPCA’s emergency hotline can be contacted on 0300 1234 999.