RSPCA: Over 200 Calls Over Litter 'Affecting' Animals In Sussex

A total of 220 calls were made to the RSPCA in 2020 about animals 'affected' by litter in East and West Sussex.

The charity is urging the public to take part in the 'Great British Spring Clean' after revealing it took 3,874 calls about animals impacted by rubbish last year.

Some of the reasons people called included:

• A duck tangled in a medical face mask
• A baby hedgehog with plastic wrapped around her neck
• A fox with his head caught in an old Cornish pasty wrapper (pictured)
• A gannet entangled in plastic (pictured)

The animal welfare charity asks people to pick up any litter they see lying around, as well as taking their own home and disposing of it properly

After a trend of animals getting stuck in masks, the public are also being asked to snip mask straps before disposal.

The campaign to Keep Britain Tidy is urging people to use #Litterheroes between May 28 and June 13 on their million mile litter picking mission.

Photographs can also be shared using #GBSpringClean.

Head of the RSPCA's wildlife department Adam Grogan 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 also sees many animals arriving into its care with terrible injuries caused by angling litter such as discarded fishing line and hooks to plastic netting.

Nearly 40 per cent (1,510) of all litter-related 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 who swallowed or were pierced by old fishing hooks or became entangled in fishing line.

Adam added:

"Animals who 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 head-on. It's up to every one of us to do our bit in the war against litter."

Adam added:

"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, particularly as it can be almost invisible.

"We strongly urge those who enjoy fishing to be extra cautious to make sure nothing is left behind. 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. We ask that all those who enjoy fishing to follow the Angling Trust Take 5 campaign and make use of the recycling scheme to dispose of their waste tackle.

"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."