They cover a hedgehog in spray paint until it dies (after a week of agony): four people arrested

A very serious incident of animal abuse has shaken the community of Yeadon, West Yorkshire. A resident discovered a female hedgehog in the back garden of her home completely covered in a thick layer of oil-based spray paint. The colors used, yellow and blue, recall the shirt of the Leeds United football team, making the small mammal similar to the Sonic character. The alarm went off immediately: the substance used glued the spines together, making it impossible for the animal to curl up into a ball to defend itself and causing severe breathing difficulties due to the toxic fumes.

Investigations led by West Yorkshire Police’s wildlife and rural crime team led to the arrest of four people aged 44, 21, 17 and 15. The suspects face charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, in breach of Article 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. After they were handcuffed, investigators granted the four bail while investigations are completed.

Honey died despite the care she received

Once rescued, the small mammal was renamed Honey he was placed in the care of Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue based in Otley. The manager of the facility, Diane Cook, together with her staff, had to carry out a delicate cleaning job, rubbing every single plug to remove the paint and simultaneously administering painkillers.

Cook explained that the layer of paint, similar to a road emulsion, had only spared the face, belly and legs, demonstrating a completely deliberate gesture. Without the ability to curl into a ball, the animal would have faced certain death from malnutrition, starvation or predators. Unfortunately, however, despite the treatment there was nothing that could be done for Honey who after a week of suffering died due to the serious complications reported.

The attack and subsequent disappearance of this hedgehog appears even more serious if we consider the delicate conservation status of these small mammals in Great Britain. The species is in fact included in the national Red List and is officially classified as vulnerable to extinction. According to data published in the report on the state of hedgehogs in Great Britain, the population of these animals has suffered a steep collapse since the beginning of the century, recording a decline of 30% in urban areas and up to 50% in rural areas. The police have renewed the invitation to provide useful information by contacting the number 101 or the Crimestoppers charity.