Fishing litter kills cygnet and injures dog | Manchester News

Fishing hooks and wire discarded at Salford Quays have killed a cygnet and injured a pet dog.

The young swan was found with a hook caught in its mouth and later died from its injuries and the dog had to get emergency vet treatment.

Jennifer Darlington, 33, the local resident who found the swan, said it was “incredibly distressing that rubbish left from people fishing led to the death of one of the cygnets”.

The RSPCA said a minority of anglers were “letting the community down” by not disposing of their fishing waste properly.

Alexes Rogers’ dog Rufus was hurt after getting a fishing hook caught in its mouth.

“Once I realised it had pierced through his lip, I got him home, but my partner and I couldn’t unhook it, and he was very distressed,” she said.

Ms Rogers, 51, rushed Rufus to the vets who sedated the dog, before cutting the hook out and stitching him back up, costing more than £300.

Brendan Rendall, 46, who lives in Salford Quays, said he wanted visitors to put any hooks and broken glass in litter bins, so that situations like this “could hopefully be prevented” in the future.

Mr Rendall said the local wildlife was really important to the local community.

“It is part of the Quays. It’s an enjoyment for everyone that lives there and everyone that visits,” he said.

The RSPCA received about 750 calls last year to animals getting caught in fishing litter.

Carrie Stones from the charity said: “The majority of anglers are careful when fishing – but a small number are letting the community down by not disposing of their waste properly and leaving animals in danger.”

“It is frustrating that some don’t realise how dangerous it is to animals.”