Deer Helped To Escape From Football Net Near Horsham

Monday, 17 August 2020 11:22

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Deer in football netting in Horsham (Picture: RSPCA)

RSPCA staff have reported that a deer had to be cut free after getting completely tangled in a football net near Horsham.

The charity said its animal welfare officer Marie Stevens was called to Nuthurst, West Sussex, on Thursday morning (13 August).

Marie said:

"It was an 'Oh deer' moment for this youngster when he realised he's better playing in the back roe than in goal!

"On a serious note though, the RSPCA receives around 1,000 calls every year to help animals and birds who have got tangled in netting.

"This poor roe deer was completely ensnared with the netting wrapped around his legs and his neck.

"Once they're caught they panic and can wrap themselves tighter and tighter in the net causing serious injuries and, sadly, sometimes death."

Luckily for this little one, Marie was able to cut him free, carry him to a safe part of the garden and release him back into the wild.

Marie added:

"Thankfully this guy wasn't injured and hadn't done himself any damage.

"But netting can be lethal for animals.

"Many people don't realise how dangerous netting is to animals so we want to raise awareness and hopefully stop animals from being injured - sometimes fatally - after getting caught up."

In some instances, fox cubs have strangled themselves to death because they have been trying to free themselves. It doesn't take too long with them thrashing about trying to escape before they become seriously trapped and are then unable to free themselves.

She said:

"If animals are caught in nets and go unnoticed even for a short time, they can really suffer.

"The tighter the net gets, it can cut off the blood supply to their limbs, damage bones where they have tried to frantically escape, or worst of all, they could be strangled to death."

"This is why we're asking families to remove sports nets after use and store them safely away.

"It only takes a few minutes and yet it could save an animal from suffering a horrible death.

"Where netting can't be removed, such as pond or fruit netting, we recommend replacing them with solid metal mesh."

When the RSPCA receives a call from a member of the public about an animal tangled in netting, it is classed as an emergency and the nearest RSPCA officer is tasked to go and rescue the animal.

If they can free the animal themselves they will carefully cut away the netting before checking the animal over.

If there are no problems, then they are immediately released back into the wild.

However, there are instances where the animal is so severely tangled that they have to be sedated and taken to a wildlife centre or vet for all of the netting to be cut away.

If you see an animal tangled in netting, the RSPCA says do not try to free them yourself. but call the charity on 0300 1234 999.