Four men have been arrested in West Yorkshire on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after a hedgehog was found painted in the colors of Leeds United Football Club. The incident occurred in Yeadon, Leeds.
West Yorkshire Police's Wildlife and Rural Crime team arrested the men, aged 44, 21, 17, and 15, over the weekend. They were taken into custody under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act of 2006. The men have since been bailed pending further inquiries.
The hedgehog, an adult female, was discovered on July 13 inside a woman's home. It was covered in yellow and blue paint, which restricted its ability to curl into a ball and caused breathing difficulties due to the paint fumes. The thick, oil-based paint had adhered to its spines, hindering its movement and ability to defend itself.
Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue in Otley took in the animal. Staff had to scrub the paint off each individual spine and administer pain relief. According to Diane Cook, 51, the owner of the rescue center, the hedgehog's restricted movement made it vulnerable to predators and could have led to starvation or malnutrition.
"Absolutely appalling," Cook described the actions, emphasizing that the nature of the act was unacceptable regardless of any football affiliation. She noted that the paint was similar to that used for decorating or road marking.
Police are appealing for information and have provided a reference number, 13260401913, for those who wish to come forward. Information can be reported via phone to 101, through the police website's Live Chat option, or anonymously to Crimestoppers.
Hedgehogs are a declining species in Britain and are listed as 'vulnerable' on the country's red list of mammals. Reports indicate a significant decrease in hedgehog numbers since the turn of the century, with urban populations falling by up to 30 percent and rural populations by 50 percent.