Litter warning as fox cub's head stuck in plastic bottle for days

A fox cub which spent nearly two days with its head stuck in a plastic bottle has been rescued and treated for serious injuries.

The Scottish SPCA sent a rescue officer to try and catch the cub in Glasgow on 26 June, but he ran into his den.

By that point it was thought the animal had been trapped in the bottle for at least a day.

The following day, after a member of the public called the charity's helpline, an animal rescue team carried out an extended search and made several unsuccessful attempts to catch the fox before he emerged and was taken into their care.

The charity has re-issued a warning about the dangers of discarded litter to wildlife.

The fox was initially taken to the University of Glasgow's small animal hospital, where his wound was cleaned and he was given pain relief.

He was taken to the Scottish SPCA's rescue centre at Fishcross the next day.

An animal rescue officer said: "This fox was incredibly fortunate. Had we not managed to catch him, the injuries caused by the bottle could have become life-threatening.

"Sadly, this isn't an isolated incident. Every year, we see wild animals injured, trapped or killed by discarded litter.

"Something as simple as taking your rubbish home or disposing of it properly can prevent animals suffering in this way."

The charity has since been giving the fox daily treatment for the wound.

Last month it issued a warning that litter can have "devastating" and potentially fatal consequences for wildlife.

Between 2023 and 2025, the charity responded to almost 109,000 wildlife incidents, many involving animals injured or put at risk by human activity.

It urged people to dispose of litter responsibly.