Warning after deer rescued from sports netting

Deer are highly susceptible to stress

The RSPCA has warned about the dangers of discarded netting after two deer needed to be freed in separate incidents.

On 4 February, Nicole Scott, one of the charity's animal rescue officers, was called by a member of the public to help untangle a fallow deer stuck in netting wrapped around a tree in a field off Bibs Hall Lane, in Welwyn, Hertfordshire.

Two teams from the fire service were then called to help cut the uninjured animal free of what Ms Scott believed may have football netting,

In a second incident, Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue freed another fallow deer trapped in a cricket net on Henley Road, Medmenham.

A crew from High Wycombe attended and safely released the uninjured animal.

Ms Scott added: "Deer are particularly susceptible to stress and therefore in many cases they do not survive for very long after being trapped due to stress-induced muscle breakdown.

"Meaning that in many cases it's kinder and the best option for animal welfare to put them to sleep to prevent the risk of a painful death hours later".

The charity has advised people to call its helpline if it spots a trapped or injured deer.