DURING Wildlife Week, the Scottish SPCA has been encouraging parents to remove nets from children's football goals when they are not in use.

The animal welfare charity has been doing so after a fox cub in Glasgow became trapped.

Now named Shepherd, it is being rehabilitated at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross.

The Scottish SOCA was called to rescue the cub on June, 4 after a member of the public discovered the distressed fox entangled in the netting.

Inspector Stacey Erwin said, "There was a happy ending in this instance but sadly there are many foxes and other wild animals such as hedgehogs and birds that are often caught in football netting and don’t survive.

"When I arrived at the property the fox was had already cut his tongue and paw trying to get free.

"Shepherd is now being cared for at our National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross and will be released back into the wild in a carefully selected site with the land owners permission once he is fighting fit.

"We’re keen to encourage people to tidy away their football nets when they are not in use as it could save an animal’s life."

Anyone concerned about the welfare of an animal should contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.