RSPCA’s Isle of Thanet branch has called on anglers to not be careless after a herring gull had his life "end early because of a single act of carelessness".

An adult herring gull was brought into the Woodchurch animal centre by local dog warden Simon.

It had got caught up in fishing line and had hooks deeply embedded in its mouth, leg and wing.

The gull was sent to Eagle vets in Minster where it was examined and x-rayed but the damage was too great for the gull to be saved.

On a Facebook post the next day, the RSPCA branch wrote: “Herring gulls can live 30 years, but this poor soul had his life ended early because of a single act of carelessness.”

The branch are now appealing to anglers to stop putting wildlife and even people and dogs at risk by taking their rubbish home.

The post said: “Littering our beautiful Thanet coastline is a shameful act, but this type of litter is also very dangerous, and not just to beautiful gulls.

“These hooks could just as easily end up in the feet of your children or dogs when you are enjoying time on the beach.

“Please, anglers, don’t be careless idiots; be heroes instead, take your rubbish home and dispose of it responsibly.”