A hedgehog has died after a discarded elastic band got stuck around its neck in the latest example of litter killing animals.

The injured hedgehog was stuck for some time before being taken to the Wildlife Aid Foundation’s (WAF) wildlife hospital in Leatherhead where it had to be put to sleep.

A spokesman from the foundation said the wounds were caused by the elastic band tightening around the animal’s neck.

It had become infected and it was riddled with maggots by the time the hedgehog was brought into the hospital.

Your Local Guardian:

This hedgehog got stuck in a tin can

WAF is calling on people not to drop litter such as rubber bands which could have tragic consequences for animals.

WAF founder and chief executive Simon Cowell MBE said: “Wounds caused by carelessly discarded items such as rubber bands, netting, wire, tin cans and other small items of litter can be a major problem for wildlife and it is extremely common for animals to become caught or entangled in such things.

“Elastic bands are among the worst items.

“If a young hedgehog, like the one brought in, gets itself caught up in an elastic band, as he grows the elastic band digs into his skin, his skin gradually grows over it and becomes infected.”

Mr Cowell said it was too late to help this particular hedgehog.

It is not just hedgehogs in danger – snakes, birds and other small animals also find themselves caught up in netting or hooks discarded by people.

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Tangled: A bird brought in tangled in some wire

WAF is running a Save Harry campaign to promote protection of hedgehogs which have in recent years become an endangered species in Britain.

The foundation said their numbers having plummeted from 30 million in the 1950s to under a million this year.

If you would like to support the charity’s work to safeguard hedgehogs and other British wildlife, visit the WAF website.

You can also see online video footage of recent animal rescues on YouTube at TheWildlifeAidTV.