 People handling ragwort should wear gloves |
A new warning about the weed ragwort, which is toxic to animals, has been issued by the RSPCA. The South West branch of the charity said it can kill horses and livestock and is advising landowners to clear the plant from fields and verges.
It said dry summer weather can mean a shortage of grass and as a result, animals are likely to feed on whatever they can find, including ragwort.
The yellow flowering weed can cause irreversible damage to the liver.
Animals may lose weight and condition, suffer depression, loss of appetite and jaundice.
In some cases it can lead to a painful death.
The RSPCA said, by law, landowners have to control the weed because of its life-threatening dangers.
It is also thought ragwort can harm people, so anyone handling it should wear gloves and wash their hands.
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