Firefighters and animal welfare charity the RSPCA joined together to rescue a trapped deer near Hitchin.

A white fallow deer had become trapped on a barbed wire fence, with green plastic netting stuck on his antlers, on farmland off Lannock Hill.

RSPCA animal rescue officer Jane Folly attended the incident and found the young male deer in distress.

She called for assistance from the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service and, working together, they managed to cover the deer’s head with a towel to secure him and keep him calm while the team worked to cut the mesh.

The Comet: The deer was trapped on a barbed wire fence and entangled in green mesh.The deer was trapped on a barbed wire fence and entangled in green mesh. (Image: RSPCA)

Jane said: "Thankfully the deer had been spotted by a member of the public, who was able to alert us. The deer was so stressed and exhausted, as he had been trying to get free, but in turn was becoming more tangled and stuck.

"We managed to cut the deer free and thankfully he was not injured, and then he ran off into the countryside.

"I would like to say thank you to the firefighters for all their effort in freeing the deer. It was a great example of working together. 

"The deer was actually a white fallow, which is quite unusual to see."

The Comet: The firefighters cut away the mesh to free the deer.The firefighters cut away the mesh to free the deer. (Image: RSPCA)

Deer will roam for miles and cover vast swathes of countryside, which is why it's important that potential hazards such as unused fencing or netting is removed, the RSPCA warned.

Jane said: "We just hope that by highlighting this, it will act as a reminder to people to put away unused netting, fencing or any other items which a wild animal could become tangled in.

The Comet: The deer was covered in a towel to secure him and help keep him calm.The deer was covered in a towel to secure him and help keep him calm. (Image: RSPCA)

"While some incidents cannot be avoided, please help us to keep wildlife safe by putting away any fencing, building materials, wires etcetera which are not being used, to prevent wildlife from getting caught in it.

"Even netting in our gardens can pose a threat, especially things like sports netting."

If you spot an animal which is trapped, in distress, or in need of help, call the RSPCA’s cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.