Deer found caught in net near rugby field in England

March 22 (UPI) -- Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in England helped rescue a deer caught in netting near a rugby field.

RSPCA Inspector Beccy Wadey responded to reports of a deer thrashing with its antlers caught in the net near The University of St Mark and St John and worked with a rescue crew to free the distressed buck.

"He had become trapped by the high fence around the rugby pitch and it was twisted around his antlers," Wadey said. "The deer was a large and very strong and had been kicking and frantically thrashing around to try to free himself. He was covered in mud and clearly exhausted from being trapped there for a little while."

Wadey, Inspector Miranda Albinson and the crew were ultimately able to free the buck and send it safely on its way.

"After we removed the netting that was around his antlers it was great to see him stand up and dart off," Wadey said.

The rescue group warned citizens about the danger of leaving sports nets and other similar obstructions out in the wild presents to wildlife after a fox was caught in a similar net.

"This is such a stressful situation for an animal, particularly a wild animal, to find themselves in," Wadey said. "Flimsy netted fencing and netting used for gardening or sports like football and tennis can be really dangerous for animals and also poses a risk for those of us who are trying to rescue any entangled animal."