Deer trapped in football net rescued by RSPCA

A deer has been rescued after getting its head stuck in a football net in a back garden.

The male fallow deer "was thrashing around and pulling the goal post in an attempt to get free" when it was seen by a passer by in Burnley on 14 April, the RSPCA said.

Rescue officer Stephen Wickham and Patrick William, from Kirklees Valley Wildlife Rescue, worked quickly to cut the deer free, and released the animal uninjured into the surrounding woodland.

"It's very distressing for timid wild animals like deer to find themselves stuck like this so we knew we'd have to work fast to free him," Mr Wickham said.

He added: "Patrick's assistance was invaluable as it meant one of us could support the deer's head while the other quickly cut off the netting.

"After a careful assessment it was very good news that on this occasion we were able to release the deer back into the wild."

Mr Wickham said the incident highlighted how "very dangerous" nets can be for wildlife.

"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," he said.

"Everyone can do their bit to help wildlife and something as simple as putting a football net away when it's not in use can save a life."

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