Octal interpretation only happens for constants. Removing leading zeroes from a constant is trivial; you just use the Delete key on your keyboard.

Removing leading zeroes from a number held in a variable (presumably what the original poster was asking) is a different question; various solutions have already been provided. In this case, however, suaveant is correct that you don't need to remove the leading zeroes. If you treat the value as a number, Perl is happy to oblige!