Animal charity’s garden gear risk warning

The Scottish SPCA is urging the Perth and Kinross public to be aware of the dangers sporting equipment left in gardens poses to visiting wildlife.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity has received an increasing number of calls to their helpline in the last few weeks for wildlife such as hedgehogs, foxes, and birds being injured in gardens.

In some cases, animals were thankfully able to be released after veterinary treatment but sadly some animals were not as lucky and had to be put to sleep due to the extent of their injuries, or even passed away before the society’s animal rescue officers arrived.

Scottish SPCA animal rescue officer Amy Stirton said:“Of course, we want the public to enjoy themselves this summer but now that the nice weather has hit, people are spending more time doing activities in their gardens and this can cause problems for wildlife.

“Recently I’ve attended jobs where fledglings have been stuck in paddling pools and hot tubs.

“The birds have nearly drowned and are hypothermic by the time they are found.

“They then have to be taken to our National Wildlife Rescue Centre to recover from being waterlogged, or have heartbreakingly had to be put to sleep.

“I have also attended incidents of hedgehogs and a fox cub becoming trapped in football netting.

“Hedgehogs have been quite regular visitors to gardens over the last few weeks.

“Sadly only one survived their ordeal. Another was dead on arrival as it had been strangled by the net, and three had to be put to sleep due to the extent of their injuries despite our best efforts to save them.

“Luckily the fox cub I rescued hadn’t been caught in the net long enough for the netting to cut in, however, there is still a risk of compartment syndrome once they are freed. The cub is still receiving ongoing treatment.

“I even attended a magpie rescue where a bird got stuck in a barbeque.

“The poor thing had managed to completely degloved its leg trying to get out, which would have been very painful and distressing for the bird.

“Simply tidying away any football and badminton netting, fishing equipment, paddling pools and securing hot tubs could be the difference between life and death for some of Scotland’s wildlife.

“Please enjoy the summer months, but please also be vigilant so that visiting wildlife can too.

“If anyone does discover any injured wildlife, please contact our helpline immediately on 03000 999 999.”