Nearly 13,000 reports of animals found affected by discarded litter have been made across the UK over the past four years.

Among them, 106 incidents in Worcestershire alone were reported to the RSPCA.

The charity has said that animals have been found severely injured, trapped, mutilated or even dead as a result of discarded litter left by unsuspecting people.

 

 

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Data reveals that they received an average of 13 updates a day in the peak months between May and August.

The RSPCA are now calling on individuals and groups to participate in the upcoming 'Keep Britain Tidy’s Great British Spring Clean' event from Friday, March 15 to Sunday, March 31.

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.

"Animals can ingest the litter or become entangled, leading to injuries, mutilations and even death.

"The public can help us protect animals, and avoid these incidents happening in the first place."

According to the charity, around 40 per cent of all litter-related calls last year referred to animals entrapped in discarded fishing litter.

Ms Stones said: "Old fishing line 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."

The RSPCA has said that most anglers are vigilant of how they dispose of their waste, however a small minority are letting the community down.

Ms Stones added: “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 anglers to follow the Angling Trust Anglers Against Litter campaign and make use of recycling schemes to dispose of their waste tackle.”

The RSPCA also warns that discarded food can attract wildlife towards roadside areas, increasing their risk of getting hit by passing vehicles.

The charity has asked that anyone who finds a small sick or injured wild animal to take it to the vets to get help quickly.