Gosport fox with tube around its neck rescued

A fox spotted with a plastic tube stuck around its neck has been rescued.

Residents in Gosport, Hampshire, first reported sightings of the animal two weeks ago, near Weevil Lane.

Steve Mason, from Second Chance Fox Rescue and Rehabilitation in North Baddesley, said the team found the fox at 11:00 GMT.

He said the animal was "in a sorry state" but its injuries were being assessed now the tube had been removed.

Warning: Story contains images some people might find distressing

Mr Mason previously said he thought the fox became stuck in the tube while looking for food.

He said the tube looked like a plastic bottle, which had the top cut off and there was some blood on the fox's neck which he believed had been caused by rubbing.

Mr Mason explained: "We're just letting them settle down, they've got painkillers, antibiotics and all the fluids to clean.

"They're in a bit of a sorry state, very infected where that plastic was, it was dirty underneath and they're very, very stressed and hyper at the moment."

The fox is now at the rehabilitation centre, where it will stay for the next two weeks for regular checks and treatment.

Mr Mason said it had been a "real team effort" to find the fox, with members of the public out looking for it "day and night" over the last fortnight.

"Everyone got together and through all the sightings we were finally able to find them," he added.

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