Animals trapped in litter dying ‘slowly and painfully’ as Britons urged to ‘keep wildlife safe’
Animals are dying “slow and painful” deaths thanks to litter blighting the environment, with a litter-picker telling Britons to take more “pride” in our country and its wildlife.
The RSPCA receives on average 13 phone calls a day about animals found injured, trapped or dead from discarded litter.
SIGN OUR PETITION: CALLING FOR HARSHER PUNISHMENT FOR THOSE THAT TRASH OUR COUNTRY
And over 25 per cent of “animal interactions” with litter result in death, a recent report by charity Trash Free Trails has found, with drinks containers being the main offenders.
Scott Gibbins, who is a self-described “very keen litter picker” and part of Leicestershire Litter Wombles, said that he regularly finds deceased animals as part of his clean-ups.
Sign our petition to stop the litter blight across our United Kingdom
“The majority of people who pick litter do it to try and stop our animals from dying a slow and painful death,” he told GB News.
“I recently discovered two mice that had drowned in a discarded bottle of coke. It looks as if they’re holding onto each other in their final moments.
“This really pulled at my heartstrings, and the saddest thing is that could have even been prevented if even the lid on the bottle had been replaced.”
Trash Free Trails has found that lots of those that perish are keystone mammal species – animals that play a vital role in the health of their ecosystems, such as mice and voles.
STOP TRASHING BRITAIN:
- Bins go uncollected since CHRISTMAS with ‘rotten turkey carcasses’ leaving residents ‘appalled’
- ‘Ridiculous’ Starmer decision over recycling scheme could ‘seriously harm’ humans and wildlife
- Street-cleaner targeted by fly-tipping motorists who shout abuse and chuck litter at him
Do you have a story about litter you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing holly.bishop@gbnews.uk
Gibbins continued: “I’ve discovered animals before where they’ve become stuck halfway and then died whilst trying to get out of a container.
“I tipped a crisp packet out recently and there were three dead mice inside.”
“We’re finding objects in the woods in areas where wildlife should be allowed. I understand if you’ve got a mouse in your shed or your attic that you want to get rid of it. But when they’re in their own environment, just let them be safe.”
Across England as a whole, there were almost 13,000 reports of animals impacted by litter from 2020 to 2024.
And it’s not just small animals that are being impacted by discarded waste. The RSPCA said that they received the most litter-related reports for foxes, hedgehogs and deer.
WARNING: POTENTIALLY GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW
GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW
Simon Cowell, of Wildlife Aid Foundation, told the BBC that 78 injured foxes were brought for treatment from 2023 – 2034 due to people dropping litter and animals getting trapped in fences.
Gibbins told The People’s Channel: “Next time you’re outside, look in your garden, look across the road, when you’re out shopping check inside a bush. Can you take a carrier bag and do your bit? And help the wildlife?
“We’re supposed to be proud to be British. We’re supposed to look after our animals here,” he said.
RSPCA anti-litter campaigns manager Carrie Stones has previously said: “Our rescuers deal with thousands of avoidable incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter. Old drinks cans and bottles, plastic items and even disposable vapes are just some of the items that pose a danger to our wildlife which can ingest the litter or become entangled, leading to injuries, mutilations and even death.
“Sadly, for every animal we’re able to help there are probably many others that go unseen, unreported and may even lose their lives. But the public can help us protect animals, and avoid these incidents happening in the first place.”
Sign our petition to stop the litter blight across our United Kingdom