HUNDREDS of calls were made to the RSPCA across the West Midlands to report animals affected by litter, according to new reports.
Distressing incidents dealt with by the RSPCA include a hedgehog entangled in old barbed wire, a fox cub with litter caught round his neck, a goose with an old drinks can stuck to her lower beak.
The RSPCA say it even received reports of family pets such as cats and dogs being affected by litter.
The animal charity say it received 437 calls over the past four years from across the region and almost 13,000 reports in total across the country about animals found severely injured, trapped, mutilated, choked or even dead from carelessly discarded litter.
Now the RSPCA is urging people to help “create a better world for every animal” by getting involved in Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean, which runs until March 31.
RSPCA anti-litter campaigns manager Carrie Stones said: “Our rescuers deal with thousands of avoidable incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter.
“Old drinks cans and bottles, plastic items and even disposable vapes are just some of the items that pose a danger to our wildlife – including hedgehogs, deer and foxes. Animals can ingest the litter or become entangled, leading to injuries, mutilations and even death.
“Sadly, for every animal we’re able to help there are probably many others that go unseen, unreported and may even lose their lives.”
The RSPCA is also warning that discarded biodegradable food litter also poses dangers – putting many animals at risk of road traffic collisions.
Carrie said: “Many will be surprised that biodegradable food litter can be as dangerous to animals as other litter. If an apple core or fruit peel is thrown from a passing vehicle or discarded by the roadside, it can attract many kinds of wildlife – from mammals to birds – and put them in danger of passing vehicles.”
The RSPCA asks anyone who finds a small sick or injured wild animal to take it to the vets, so they can get help quickly.
