Watch: Deer tangled in electric fencing and barbed wire rescued in Staffordshire
A red deer had to be rescued in Norton Canes after its antlers became entangled in electric fencing and barbed wire.
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The RSCPA received a call to its helpline on January 27 from a member of the public who spotted the large stag with his head stuck in a fence in a field off Washbrook Lane in Norton Canes near Cannock.
The red deer - the largest species of deer in the UK - was sedated as officers from the animal welfare charity helped to set him free.
Deputy chief inspector at the RSPCA, Vicki Taylor, attended the site along with animal rescue officer, Ash Moore.
Ms Taylor said: "This poor stag was well and truly stuck with his antlers completely entangled in electric fencing and barbed wire.
"My fellow officers worked with a local vet who sedated the deer - they were then able to cut the wiring and fencing free of the deer’s antlers."
The deer was able to walk away unharmed after the incident which Ms Taylor said was a "brilliant sight".
She 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.
"It’s wonderful on this occasion, after a careful assessment, that we were able to release the deer back to the wild. It’s always the best part of the job to see such a beautiful, powerful animal finally free and released back into the wild.”
People who see a deer in need of help should contact the RSPCA’s helpline on 0300 1234 999.
