A curious young cow had to be freed by the RSPCA after getting her head stuck in the drum of an old washing machine that had been dumped in a field.

The cow escaped injury, but the charity cautioned that fly-tipping could cause harm to animals.

The RSPCA was called to the field at Higher Fraddon, St Columb, in Cornwall. “It is one of the more unusual things we had had to rescue an animal from,” said Jo Barr, a spokeswoman for the RSPCA. “Young cows are quite curious, and she probably thought there was some food inside the drum.”

A member of the public had seen the animal trying to free herself.

David Hobbs, an RSPCA inspector, rescued the heifer and she was returned to her herd unharmed.

Mr Hobbs said: “Most people hate to see fly-tipping as it is an ugly blight on the landscape, but incidents like these highlight that rubbish can also endanger animals.

“The heifer was probably curious to see a new item dumped in the field and curiosity would have turned to panic once she got her head stuck.

“If people disposed of their rubbish properly many animals would be saved from injury and death.

“A large proportion of the injuries are caused by carelessly discarded rubbish and fishing litter.”

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