A trapped fox who found herself tangled up in netting has been helped to safety by an RSPCA rescuer before being released back into the wild.

She was found trapped by her legs in netting that was used to protect growing plants in a garden in Yeovil.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Alison Sparkes, who cut the fox free before taking her to the charity’s specialist wildlife rehabilitation centre, said: “She’d become twisted in the netting and was unable to free herself. The more she struggled to get herself free, the more trapped she’d become. She was very lively so extra care was taken not to hurt her, or get injured.

“After checking for signs of dependent cubs, I took her to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre. She was released back near where she was found two days later.

“We hope that seeing how distressed this fox was reminds people that netted fencing and netting used for gardening or in sport can be really dangerous for animals.

“We would urge those using netting for sports to remove and store all nets after their game and put any discarded or old netting safely in a bin. Any garden netting, such as pond netting, should be replaced with solid metal mesh.”

The RSPCA has launched a new campaign For Every Kind, urging people to care about the lives of every animal and carry out one million acts of kindness for animals to mark its 200th anniversary. To find out your kind of kindness and turn it into action for animals visit their website.