Latest news with #HannahWesten


BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Bradford: Litter warning after gull tangled in string put down
A herring gull left tangled in string had to be put down, prompting a litter warning from the young bird was spotted tightly wrapped in the material while up on a telegraph pole on Winston Terrace, Bradford, on 29 Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service managed to cut the string and partially free the gull, but the bird had to be euthanised due to the extent of its injuries. "This is such a sad incident and highlights the dangers of litter to wildlife," the RSPCA's Hannah Westen said. "While still trailing the string, the juvenile herring gull flew from a telegraph pole to the top of a high tree," the animal rescue officer said. "He flew down to the ground, still entangled, with the other end of the string caught in the top of the tree."The fire service put the bird in a cardboard box and contacted the RSPCA for further support. "On closer examination at the vets, we could see that the string was tightly wrapped round the poor bird's right wing multiple times, which suggests he had been spiralling around," Ms Westen said."We managed to get the string off, but it was clear his feathers were so damaged that there was no hope of rehabilitation."The RSPCA urged people to hold on to litter until they find an opportunity to dispose or recycle it safely and responsibly."As we all strive to create a better world for every animal, this could save an animal's life," she added. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.


BBC News
17-04-2025
- General
- BBC News
Goose with plastic ring around neck rescued from Bradford park
A goose has been rescued from a Bradford park after it was found with a plastic ring around its neck.A member of the public spotted the bird in Wibsey Park on 10 April and reported its condition to the rescue officers successfully caught the goose and removed the ring, believed to be from the wheel of a buggy, before releasing the animal unharmed. The charity warned about the dangers of discarded litter, saying its officers had attended three litter-related incidents in the north of England in one week. Animal rescue officer Hannah Westen said: "It could have been fatal for the goose and it was fortunate the animal was spotted and caught before the plastic ring could inflict any lasting harm."Litter can have such a detrimental impact on our wildlife why is why it's so important that people dispose of it responsibly." The RSPCA received 2,199 reports about animals affected by litter in England and Wales last charity added that about 34% of all litter-related calls were about animals that had specifically become caught in fishing equipment. They encourage anglers to make use of recycling schemes to dispose of their waste tackle appropriately. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.