WITH lockdown restrictions easing and more people going out, an animal charity is pleading with people to dispose of their litter responsibly.

That’s because the RSPCA has received more than 21,000 reports of animals injured or caught in litter over the past five years.

The stats, revealed on Thursday, show that in Oxfordshire, 247 calls about animals affected by litter were made across that period.

Of those calls, 176 were for angling litter, whilst the remaining 71 for general litter.

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The RSPCA’s frontline officers are regularly called to help cats, birds and wildlife which have got themselves tangled in netting, injured in fishing litter or stuck in rubbish.

Adam Grogan, head of the RSPCA’s wildlife team, said: “Our staff are dealing with thousands of incidents every year where animals and birds 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 it’s something that’s very easy to resolve.

Oxford Mail:

“That’s why we’re calling on the public to take extra care to clear up after they’ve been out for a walk or enjoyed a picnic in the woods.

“Now that the Government has eased some of the lockdown restrictions, we’re sure lots of families will be out and about in nature.

“But it’s our job to protect nature and that includes properly and responsibly disposing of our litter so that animals can’t be hurt.”

Angling litter such as discarded fishing hooks and lines, and plastic netting can cause terrible injuries to seals and waterfowl.

“Animals which 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,” added Mr Grogan.

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“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.

“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.”

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In total, the RSPCA recorded 21,649 incidents in England and Wales over the past five years, with 15,183 of these related to angling litter.

Outside of London with 1618 incidents, Greater Manchester had the second highest number with 906.

Items such as tin cans, plastic bottles, elastic bands, and netting, including sports and netting put on bushes or trees to deter birds, created problems for wildlife.