A hedgehog was found painted in blue and yellow in Yeadon, Leeds, West Yorkshire, leading to condemnation from an animal rescue centre and West Yorkshire Police. The animal, discovered by a woman in her back garden, appears to have been painted either in Leeds United football colours or to resemble Sonic the Hedgehog.
Rescue Details and Animal's Condition
Staff at Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue in Otley, Leeds, took in the female hedgehog. They had to scrub clean the oil-based paint from each individual spine and administer pain relief. Diane Cook, 51, who owns the rescue shelter, said the paint was so thick it had 'glued' her spines together, similar to emulsion or road marking paint.
Cook stated: "It's an unbelievably stupid thing to do. We know it was done deliberately, and she just not brushed against wet paint or fallen in some paint, because she’s completely covered except for the front of her face, tummy and legs. This is absolutely disgusting behaviour to happen to any animal never mind a creature that in our country is on the Red List and classed as ‘vulnerable to extinction’."
Impact on the Hedgehog
The paint prevented the hedgehog from curling into a ball, leaving it unable to defend itself from predators. Cook warned it could have been killed or starved to death. The fumes caused severe breathing problems, and the animal risked toxicity from licking the paint. Once the paint is removed, the hedgehog will be microchipped and released back into the garden where it was found.
Hedgehog Decline in Britain
Hedgehogs are listed as 'vulnerable' on Britain's red list of mammals. According to the latest State of Britain's hedgehogs report, numbers have fallen by up to 30% in urban areas and 50% in rural areas since the turn of the century.
Police Investigation
A West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "Unfortunately someone in the LS19 area of Leeds has sprayed a hedgehog blue. This has caused unnecessary suffering to the animal and it is being treated by rescue. If anyone has any information about the incident please call 101 and quote the crime number 13260401913."
