Blue-in-the-face fox cub rescued after getting head stuck in fence

A member of the public contacted the RSPCA after finding the struggling cub with his head completely stuck in the fence in a back garden in the Pleck area of Walsall.

There were no obvious injuries but the cub was hanging from the fence and starting to choke.

When RSPCA animal collection officer Catherine Strawford arrived, the cub had started to turn blue in his face.

He was safely freed, but as it wasn’t known how long he had been hanging there for, Ms Strawford arranged for him to be taken to an RSPCA wildlife centre for a check-up.

She said: "Though he was really struggling, once I got him out he didn’t seem to be injured, other than missing a bit of fur from his neck.

"But I didn’t know how long he had been there for so it was safer to get him to a wildlife centre where he could be checked over by a vet.”

A vet found the cub had no injuries and as he was eating and drinking well, it was decided he could be released back into the wild the following day.

Ms Strawford released him back to near where he was rescued so he could find his way back to his den and family.

“I dread to think what could have happened to him if we hadn’t have been contacted," she added.

“I’m just so pleased that there was a happy ending for this cub.

“If you have mesh fencing in your garden, this is a timely reminder to encourage you to check it regularly in case any wild animals have been caught in it.”

Anyone who sees injured wildlife or an animal in distress should contact the RSPCA, 24 hours a day, on 0300 1234 999.