The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) has issued a warning to the public to put football nets away at night time and not leave them in back gardens or on green areas in housing estates. Football nets can have a dangerous impact on foxes, and the DSPCA is urging residents to take action to protect their local wildlife.
In a recent incident, a fox cub became trapped in a net in south Dublin, and a photo shared by the charity shows how tangled it became in the netting before an inspector was able to free the cub. The DSPCA has warned that this is not an isolated incident; it is the second time in two days that it has urged residents to put football nets away once they are no longer needed. In April, the charity shared a similar warning when another cub became another victim of a football net.
“We are asking the public again to please put football nets away at night time and not leave them in back gardens or on green areas in housing estates,” the charity said. “This little guy could have very easily died.”
Football nets are just one of many hazards that wildlife can encounter in urban environments. The DSPCA has also revealed that another little cub came into their care after being attacked by birds this week. “He was found lying motionless and birds were attacking him,” the charity said. “We’re keeping everything crossed for him.”
The DSPCA has called on residents to take responsibility for their local wildlife by putting away items that can cause injury or harm. It is important to remember that humans are not the only inhabitants of urban areas, and that our actions can have a profound impact on the animals that call these areas home.
Other ways in which residents can protect their local wildlife include:
– Planting native shrubs and flowers to provide food and shelter for birds, insects, and other animals.
– Avoiding the use of pesticides and other harmful chemicals in gardens and green spaces.
– Providing water sources, such as bird baths or ponds, for animals.
By taking these steps, residents can create a more diverse and vibrant environment that benefits both humans and the wildlife that share our urban spaces.
