RSPCA declares war against litter

THE RSPCA has declared a “war against litter” - as statistics show the heartbreaking impact of people’s rubbish on animals in Leicestershire.

New analysis by the charity has detailed an increase in animals affected by plastic litter - including by becoming entangled in nets, trapped in plastic bags or bottles, or infected through litter-inflicted wounds.

The data shows there were at least 19 incidents in Leicestershire that involved animals affected by general litter in 2018.

That’s up from the 16 recorded in 2017 - though lower than the 2015 and 2016 figures.

However, the incidents involving plastic litter were at a record high of 12.

That compares to eight in 2017, seven in 2016 and seven in 2015.

Over the four years the charity recorded 81 incidents of animals being affected by general litter (including non-plastics) in Leicestershire alone.

The situation in Leicestershire mirrors a national trend when it comes to plastic litter.

The number of animals affected by plastic litter in England and Wales is at a record high, with incidents increasing from 473 in 2015 to 579 in 2018.

That’s an increase of 22 per cent over the period.

Certain animals - particularly those that live in water habitats - are disproportionately affected by plastic litter, according to the charity’s data.

There has been a fourfold rise in seals affected by incidents involving plastic litter, with 28 recorded in 2018 compared to only five in 2015.

Incidents involving geese have also risen, from 37 in 2015 to 70 last year, and swans, from 40 to 48 over the same four-year period.

Despite the rise in animals affected by general and plastic litter, the vast majority of incidents still relate to fishing litter, such as lines and hooks.

Across all species, of the 4,579 incidents in 2018 that involved any type of litter, 3,228 were from angling and 1,351 were general litter.

RSPCA Head of Wildlife, Adam Grogan said: “This shocking rise in plastic litter incidents suggests that plastic is a growing threat to animals.

“Every year, the RSPCA deals with increasing numbers of mammals, birds and reptiles that have become entangled or affected in some way by discarded plastic.

“It’s up to every one of us to do our bit in the war against litter.”