Not littering can save animals’ lives
Shocking new data shows how many wild creatures are hurt by discarded rubbish in Staffordshire every year
THE RSPCA in Staffordshire has received 271 calls about animals affected by litter since 2020, shocking new data shows.
The charity also revealed that it received an average of 13 reports per day last year across the country during the peak months of May, June, July and August, when there is a particular litter hazard for animals.
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, and a gull whose leg became almost completely detached due to old fishing line cutting in.
They even received reports of family pets such as cats and dogs being affected by litter.
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.
“But the public can help us protect animals, and avoid these incidents happening in the first place.”
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.
Individuals, groups or schools can pledge their support – and say how many bags of litter they intend to pick up – with more than 400,000 collected in total last year.
Carrie said: “Spring is an ideal time to go on a litter-pick because it falls before the breeding season when young animals, such as fox cubs, are at risk of getting into trouble, while litter in hedges will be more visible to pickers before the vegetation starts growing.
“But it’s also really easy for the public to help at all times of the year. When people are out and about, we urge them to hold on to their litter until there is an opportunity to dispose of it safely and responsibly.
“As we all strive to create a better world for every animal, this could save an animal’s life.”
As well as everyday rubbish, the RSPCA also sees many animals arriving into its care with injuries caused by discarded fishing line, hooks and plastic netting. Around 40 per cent of all litter-related calls to the RSPCA last year were about animals that had become caught in fishing litter.
Carrie added: “Old fishing lines can cut deep into the flesh of water birds like swans, geese and ducks, affecting circulation and causing wounds to become seriously infected. We even see birds that have swallowed barbed fishing hooks.
“These hazards can very quickly become a matter of life or death for them, and action is urgently needed to tackle this problem head-on.
“Most anglers are very responsible when disposing of their litter, but it only takes one piece of snagged line to be left in a tree or dropped near the water to endanger the life of an animal.”
The RSPCA is also warning that discarded biodegradable food litter poses dangers – putting many animals at risk of road traffic collisions.
Carrie said: “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.
“We ask anyone who finds a small sick or injured wild animal to take it to the vets, so they can get help quickly.”
This year the RSPCA celebrates its 200th birthday. To mark this anniversary, the charity wants to inspire one million people to join their movement to improve animals’ lives. To find out how you can join in, visit www.rspca.org.uk/200.