Rescuers from the RSPCA have issued an urgent warning to homeowners after a wild deer was found hopelessly tangled in sports netting in the Somerset hills
An animal rescue officer secures the deer with a blanket (Credit : Submitted)
A wild visitor found herself in a real bind after a holiday-season mishap left her tangled and terrified. The animal was discovered caught in sports netting, sparking an urgent response from charity workers who feared the timid creature might not survive the ordeal.
Rescuers from the RSPCA, inspector Jo Daniel and animal rescue officer Alison Sparkes, were called to the Polden Hills to assist the animal. Jo and Alison worked quickly to carefully untangle the deer before watching her run free into the wild. The rescue took place on Wednesday, December 17.
Jo said: “It’s very distressing for timid wild animals like deer to find themselves stuck like this so I knew we had to work fast to free her.
“Deer are particularly susceptible to stress and in many cases they don’t survive for very long after being trapped due to stress-induced muscle breakdown, so in some instances it is kinder and the best option for animal welfare to put them to sleep to prevent the risk of a painful death hours later.
The deer is assessed by charity workers before release (Credit : Submitted)
“After a careful assessment, and consultation with the wildlife vet at RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre, it was very good news that on this occasion I was able to release the deer back into the wild.
“Thank goodness this story had a happy ending. After some wrangling and disentangling this beautiful little one is back where she belongs. It was certainly a very festive rescue – although a sprinkling of snow instead of rain and a howling gale would have been nice!
“Animals are sentient; they feel joy, fear, love and pain, just like we do. Without our help, many animals will suffer this winter which is why we’re asking people to Join the Big Give Back to Animals to help us give animals the help and care they deserve.
The animal was hopelessly tangled in the mesh (Credit : Submitted)
“Football nets provide hours of fun for humans but as this incident highlights, they can be very dangerous for wild animals if they’re left out. As mammals frequently get trapped during the night, they may have been struggling for many hours by the time they are found in the morning and often need veterinary attention and sedation to cut them free.
“Getting tangled up in netting – whether it’s used for sport, fencing or the garden – is very stressful for an animal, particularly one that’s wild. Everyone can do their bit to help wildlife and something as simple as putting a football net up when it’s not in use can save a life”.
The animal runs free after being untangled by charity workers (Credit : Submitted)
The animal charity has asked supporters to Join the Big Give Back to Animals to help provide care during the winter months. More information on the campaign is available on the charity’s website at www.rspca.org.uk.
Advice on what to do when helping wild animals in distress can also be found on the website.