Four men arrested after hedgehog was painted in Leeds United colours leaving spiky mammal struggling to breathe
Four men have been arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after a hedgehog was painted in Leeds United FC’s colours.
West Yorkshire Police’s Wildlife and Countryside Crime team said four men, aged 44, 21, 17 and 15, were arrested at the weekend under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
The adult female hedgehog was found covered in yellow and blue paint at a woman’s home in Yeadon, Leeds, on July 13.
The paint meant the spiny mammal was unable to curl up into a ball and had breathing problems due to fumes from the paint.
Spiny Pigs Hedgehog Rescue, based in Otley, Leeds, received the animal, which needed to be brushed to remove oil-based paint on each spine.
The hedgehog was also administered painkillers.
Animal sanctuary owner Diane Cook, 51, said the actions were ‘absolutely appalling’, regardless of whether they were football-related or not.
According to Ms. Cook, because the creature’s movement was limited, it had no way of defending itself against predators and could easily be killed; Worse still, he could slowly starve to death or succumb to malnutrition.
The female hedgehog was found covered in yellow and blue paint last Monday.
An animal shelter took him in and had to remove the paint as well as relieve the pain
The hedgehog could not curl up and had difficulty breathing due to the paint fumes.
Ms Cook, who runs the shelter from her converted garage, said the paint was ‘so thick and hard it glued her spines together’.
The animal lover also said the paint was similar to the emulsion used to decorate and even mark road surfaces.
Police said all four men were released on bail pending further investigation.
A spokesman for the force said: ‘Four people have been arrested after a hedgehog was sprayed with blue spray in the Yeadon area of Leeds.
‘Over the weekend four men, aged 44, 21, 17 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
‘All four have been released on bail pending further investigation.
‘Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or use the Live Chat option on our website quoting reference 13260401913.
‘Information can also be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.’
Hedgehogs are declining in numbers and are now listed as ‘vulnerable’ on Britain’s red mammal list.
According to the British Province’s latest hedgehog report, hedgehog numbers have fallen by up to 30 per cent in urban areas and 50 per cent in rural areas since the turn of the century.
