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More than 600 reports of animals being injured, trapped, or killed by litter have been made to the RSPCA in Wales over the last four years.

Of those 614 calls, 17 were made in Caerphilly County Borough.

The figures, revealed by the charity, show more than 12,800 calls were made across England and Wales in that same timeframe – which covers 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.

The data also shows the number of reports were higher during the months of May, June, July, and August.

Foxes, hedgehogs, and deer were among the animals most affected by litter, while wild birds, swans, pigeons, and gulls bore the greatest brunt of discarded rubbish.

The RSPCA even received reports of cats and dogs being hurt.

Carrie Stones, the RSPCA’s anti-litter campaigns manager, said: “Our rescuers deal with thousands of avoidable incidents every year where animals have been impacted by litter – including hundreds in Wales.

“Old drinks cans and bottles, plastic items and even disposable vapes are just some of the items that pose a danger to our wildlife. Animals can ingest the litter or become entangled, leading to injuries, mutilations and even death. 

“Sadly, for every animal we’re able to help there are probably many others that go unseen, unreported and may even lose their lives.”

Ms Stones urged the public to help protect animals by disposing of their litter correctly – and encouraged people to take part in Keep Wales Tidy’s Spring Clean Cymru, which runs from March 15 to March 31.

She continued: “Spring is an ideal time to go on a litter-pick because it falls before the breeding season when young animals such as fox cubs are at risk of getting into trouble, while litter in hedges will be more visible to pickers before the vegetation really starts growing.”

The RSPCA also receives numerous reports of animals arriving into its care with serious injuries caused by angling litter, such as discarded fishing lines, hooks, and plastic netting.

Around 40% of all-litter related calls made to the charity last year were about animals caught in fishing litter, it revealed.

Ms Stones said: “The majority of anglers do dispose of their litter properly and it is frustrating that those who don’t possibly don’t realise how dangerous it is to animals.

“Discarded line in particular is a terrible hazard for wildlife, particularly as it can be almost invisible.”

Ms Stones also sounded a warning over biodegradable food litter. She said: “If an apple core or fruit peel is thrown from a passing vehicle or discarded by the roadside, it can attract many kinds of wildlife – from mammals to birds – and put them in danger of passing vehicles.”

Visit the RSPCA’s website for information on how to report animal cruelty or neglect.