An adult female hedgehog was discovered in a back garden in Yeadon, Leeds, West Yorkshire, covered in blue and yellow paint, apparently to resemble Leeds United team colours or Sonic the Hedgehog. The paint caused severe breathing difficulties and prevented her from curling into a defensive ball.
Rescue and Treatment
Staff at Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue in Otley, Leeds, took her in and cleaned her up. The process involved scrubbing oil-based paint from each spine individually and administering pain relief. Diane Cook, 51, who owns the shelter, said the paint was so thick it glued the hedgehog's spines together and was similar to emulsion or road-marking paint.
Deliberate Act of Cruelty
Cook stated the hedgehog was deliberately painted, not accidentally brushed against wet paint, as she was completely covered except for the front of her face, tummy, and legs. 'It would have taken some time to do as well, as it wasn’t a quick spray paint,' she said. She called the actions 'absolutely appalling' and 'disgusting'.
Risk of Death
If not found, the hedgehog could have died from restricted movement, inability to defend against predators, starvation, or malnutrition. Cook noted: 'If the lady had not found her, I honestly don’t think she would have survived.' Once paint-free, the hedgehog will be microchipped and released back into the garden.
Police Investigation
West Yorkshire Police confirmed the incident in the LS19 area of Leeds. A spokesperson said: 'Unfortunately, someone has sprayed a hedgehog blue. This has caused unnecessary suffering to the animal.' Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting crime number 13260401913.
Declining Hedgehog Population
Hedgehogs are listed as 'vulnerable' on Britain's red list of mammals. According to the State of Britain’s hedgehogs report, numbers have fallen by up to 30% in urban areas and 50% in rural areas since 2000.
