The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has issued an urgent warning to gardeners ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting that netting in football goals can be a potentially deadly trap for animals.
Why Netting is Dangerous
In a news release on June 11, the charity called on people with goals in gardens and green spaces to safely store netting away after use, following a series of wildlife rescue incidents attended by its officers. The netting poses a serious risk to wildlife, especially during summer when young animals are exploring.
Recent Rescue Incidents
One notable incident involved a deer that had to be rescued after becoming heavily entangled in football netting at a property in Caterham, Surrey. The fallow buck was found struggling in the garden by a decorator working at the property while the owners were away. RSPCA Animal Rescue Officers were alerted, freed the animal, and released it back into a suitable area nearby.
ARO Marie Stevens said: “It’s difficult to know how long this poor deer had been trapped, but we’re so grateful he was spotted. It was clear that we needed to act carefully and quickly to save him. Deer are particularly susceptible to stress and, in many cases, tragically do not survive for very long after being trapped due to stress-induced muscle breakdown. Sadly, in some cases, it is kinder and the best option for their welfare to put them to sleep to prevent the risk of a painful death hours later. However, following a thorough assessment, we were delighted to be able to release the deer back to the wild. But we cannot forget that this incident could have been avoided - if the goals had been put away.”
Fox Cubs Also Victims
Officers have also attended incidents involving fox cubs getting snarled in goal netting in a garden in London. ARO Ellie Barnes-Wilson was called and freed two cubs, which had bruising and swelling around their necks and legs due to the tight netting. They were sent to a wildlife hospital for observation and treatment and are expected to make a full recovery.
Ellie Barnes-Wilson said: “It's great that so many people will be spending time outdoors, inspired by the World Cup and their sporting heroes on TV. But, after the games are done, the netting always needs to go away.”
Call to Action
The RSPCA urges everyone with garden goals to remove and store netting safely after each use, preventing needless harm to wildlife. This simple step can save lives during the World Cup season.
