10 calls a day to animals affected by litter

THE RSPCA says it receives more than 10 calls a day about animals affected by litter.

The charity said it fielded almost 4,000 calls about animals affected by litter, even with the lockdown, including 61 from Leicestershire and two in Rutland.

The animal welfare charity urged 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 and responsibly.

Adam Grogan, head of the RSPCA’s wildlife department, 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 said it sees many animals arriving into its care with terrible injuries caused by angling litter, such as discarded fishing lines and hooks to plastic netting.

Nearly 40 per cent of all litterrelated calls to the RSPCA last year were about animals that had specifically become caught in fishing litter, from a seal being strangled by old fishing net to dozens of swans which swallowed or were pierced by old fishing hooks or became entangled in fishing line.

Adam said: “Animals which 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 headon. It’s up to every one of us to do our bit in the war against litter.

“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.

“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.”