Fox cub freed from drainpipe firmly stuck on head

Dan Martin
BBC News, Leicester
Bell Brown & Bentley A fox in a cage with a length of black pipe over its head and neckBell Brown & Bentley
Vets said the pipe was "firmly" stuck on the animals head

A fox cub found itself in a tight spot after getting its head firmly stuck in a discarded drainpipe.

The animal was taken to a veterinary surgery in Leicester Forest East, in Leicestershire, on Thursday after being found nearby.

Staff from Bell Brown & Bentley Veterinary Surgeons said the cub had "clearly been struggling for some time" before it was rescued.

They were able to carefully loosen the pipe from the fox.

In a post on Facebook, the surgery said: "We welcomed a very unusual and very lucky patient - a young fox cub with a drainpipe stuck firmly on its head.

"It had clearly been struggling for some time before being rescued."

Bell Brown & Bentley A small fox in a cage. The fox appears to have a head injury and looks scaredBell Brown & Bentley
The surgery said people could "help prevent" incidents like this by disposing of their waste responsibly

The surgery added: "This is a powerful reminder of how dangerous everyday litter can be for wildlife.

"Pipes, jars, cans, and plastic rings might seem harmless but they can trap, injure, or even kill curious animals."

Staff said the fox was safe after being freed and they hoped it would be released back into the wild.

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