RSPCA warns about animals getting caught in football nets
The organisation has issued advice as Surrey ranks in the top 30% of reported cases in the country.
The RSPCA is calling on the public to help save animals’ lives by putting away their back garden football nets after use.
The reminder comes as new data reveals the charity received 1,355 reports in 2024 of animals getting entangled in all types of netting, with almost half of them (586) in the peak months of May, June and July.
The issue is prevalent in the South East, with the highest number of reports last year coming from London.
There were 25 reports made in Surrey of animals caught in netting.
The RSPCA's advice is to put away garden football nets when not in use to help minimise the numbers of incidents.
RSPCA Scientific Officer Rebecca Machin said: “ Our data shows that unattended football and other netting can trap, injure and even kill wildlife and pets, so it’s really important to put nets safely away when they’re not being used after the game is done.
“The problem is so serious that during last year’s peak months, we dealt with 100 incidents of netting-entangled foxes - mostly cubs.
The charity’s advice to the public is that if a small animal - like a bird or hedgehog - is found caught up in netting but is uninjured, the fastest way to help it is to gently and carefully disentangle the animal themselves - where it’s safe and possible for them to do so. There’s more information about how to help animals on the RSPCA website. Animals who have been entangled will need checking over by a vet, as they may have hidden injuries.
The RSPCA should be called if larger animals are caught in netting.