In Memoriam: Mousey

TW: animal harm.

At an impromptu litter pick today, I found a bottle of Stella in the greenery along Blind Lane. As I picked it up I realised that it was smelly. Very smelly. Not old beer smelly, or even old urine smelly (the worst ‘smelly’ that my litter picking journey has introduced me to thus far). It was really a very harrowing smell.

I used my litter picker to try to tip the bottle upside down and pour out whatever was inside. Unfortunately, this turned out to be the badly decomposed maggot-riddled body of a mouse. It had clearly hopped inside, tempted by some drops of beer or a safe space to hang out for a while, and unable to get out again either starved or, more likely, overheated inside the glass.

Our choices have consequences. Carelessly throwing your bottle into nature meant that this mouse suffered horribly. We’ve found other bottles smashed to pieces, ready to pierce the paws of the local foxes and dogs out on their walk.

Please consider popping your rubbish into the bin next time.