Garden goal net warning as West Yorkshire fox cubs get in a tangle

Householders in Leeds woke up to find the entangled female cub

People with football goal nets in their gardens have been asked to pack them away following use after two fox cubs were found tangled in the netting.

The foxes were found in gardens in West Yorkshire with the nets wound tightly around their necks, but were eventually released unharmed, the RSPCA said.

May is always a peak month for netting entanglements as young animals make their initial forays, the charity said.

RSPCA officer Allesha Haddlesey said: "Football netting can be lethal."

The stricken female cubs were discovered in netting in gardens in Alwoodley, Leeds, and Wrose, Bradford, in recent weeks.

This young fox was cut free and scampered off to a nearby den, the RSPCA said

Both cubs, who were aged between six and eight weeks old, were carefully cut from the nets with scissors.

The RSPCA said the fox cub found in Alwoodley initially struggled to breathe, but recovered quickly.

'Struggling for hours'

Ms Haddlesey, who attended both incidents, said: "The cubs were tightly entangled by the netting, particularly around their necks, and it was obvious they had twisted and turned in an attempt to get free.

"Apart from the stress of being caught, we were all relieved they hadn't suffered any injuries.

"Football netting can be lethal, especially at this time of year when the curiosity of young, inexperienced animals can potentially get them into deadly situations."

The fox cub in Leeds was taken to an RSPCA centre to make a full recovery

Netting, whether used for sports, fencing or for garden jobs, could cause severe injuries or death, she added.

"As wild animals frequently get trapped during the night, they may have been struggling for many hours by the time they are found in the morning."

Ms Haddlesey urged people to pack away or dispose of netting where possible, or seek out more wildlife-friendly alternatives.