THE RSPCA has issued a warning about litter after a stag became entangled in wire.

The fallow deer stag was spotted at Trelleck Road, Tintern near Chepstow with the wire caught around his head and antlers.

RSPCA animal welfare officer Sian Burton said she made an attempt on Saturday along with fellow animal collection officer Rachel Chapman to catch the stag, but they were unable to get near him.

He stayed in a field with access to food and water and shelter over the weekend.

Yesterday Ms Burton returned with a vet and inspector Rohan Barker, who is a firearms specialist.

“We had to dart the stag from a distance to knock him out,” she said.

“We disentangled the wire from the stag straight away. But there was a lump in his throat and the vet said his voicebox had been detached, possibly due to the wire.”

It meant that to avoid any further suffering the stag had to be put to sleep.

Ms Burton said the wire may have been on the stag for some time.

“There were some wounds under his jaw which were healing which could have been caused by the wire,” she said.

“We just urge people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly and for people to contact us if they spot an animal in distress.”

There is a website dedicated to the problems caused by litter. Visit http://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/litter

If you spot an animal in distress, call the RSPCA’s 24-hour helpline on 0300 1234 999.