ALMOST 12,000 calls were made to the RSPCA about animals in need over the Christmas period.

While the nation was busy tucking into their Christmas dinners and opening presents, more than 200 RSPCA officers were working across England and Wales to rescue animals in need.

In Burnley, one family had quite a fright when a Canada goose flew into their house with a thud on Boxing Day. They alerted the RSPCA and confined the disorientated bird in their garage. RSPCA inspector Adam Dickinson said: “The poor goose flew into the wall, tumbled down the extension roof and landed in the garden. It was confused and disoriented and wandered into their garage so they shut it in and called us.” The bird was taken to the charity’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre, in Cheshire.