The RSPCA has rescued a seagull who was helplessly trapped in "dangerous" roof netting – causing outrage on Twitter.

The disturbing video shows the bird tangled up in the net in Scarborough, North Yorkshire on 23 July, with the animal desperate to escape.

RSPCA rescue officer, inspector Beth Boyd, can be seen gently pulling the bird out of the trap before placing the creature into a box for transportation to a veterinary clinic.

Unfortunately, the bird broke its leg from the ordeal and was unable to fly away, having tried to pry itself from the net.

Vets later put the bird to sleep to end its suffering.

The video, which was shared on Twitter, has sparked mass outrage about the use of roof netting and the danger it poses to wildlife.

“Thanks for rescuing it. It's easy to forget a large part of rescues is minimising their suffering – which you did,” one user said.

“HATE THESE NETS. Hope you fined them for posing a danger to wildlife...?” another person commented.

“Poor bird, netting isn't the answer & is so dangerous to wildlife. Thank you for trying,” a third user wrote. [sic]

“Oh poor thing. Thank goodness you helped him though. Out of pain now. RIP,” someone else added [sic]

“At least it didn’t die trapped in that netting, Shame it’s leg broken but rescuing the Gull has Saved it days of Suffering in the Sun & for that we thank you RSPCA for not ignoring animals trapped in awkward places EVER! Respect,” one user added, who wasn't aware that the animal had been put down.

In 2020, the RSPCA received 2,135 calls about animals injured by netting.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said it is against the law to ‘intentionally trap or kill a wild bird’ without permission from the government.

This also applies to nets that have been put up as a ‘deterrent’ but could still trap birds.