A hedgehog discovered in a garden in Yeadon, Leeds, was left in a life-threatening condition after being deliberately covered in blue and yellow spray paint. The adult female hedgehog, found by a resident, appeared to have been painted in colours associated with Leeds United Football Club or to mimic the fictional character Sonic the Hedgehog.
Diane Cook, who runs Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue in Otley, described the act as "unbelievably stupid." She noted that the oil-based paint, possibly similar to emulsion or road marking paint, emitted fumes that severely restricted the hedgehog's ability to breathe properly. The animal was also unable to curl into its natural defensive ball, leaving it exposed to predators. Furthermore, the paint hindered its movement, raising concerns about potential starvation or malnutrition had it not been found.
Rescuers are now engaged in the delicate and time-consuming process of scraping the toxic paint from each of the hedgehog's spines, while also providing pain relief. Ms Cook highlighted that the paint was clearly applied intentionally, as there was no paint on the hedgehog's underside or legs, ruling out an accidental fall into wet paint. The sheer volume of paint on its head and spines indicates a deliberate and sustained effort.
The incident also raised fears of poisoning, as the hedgehog might have attempted to lick off the toxic substance. Ms Cook emphasised the severity of the situation, stating that if the hedgehog had not been discovered and brought to the rescue centre, it likely would not have survived. The rescue team is committed to its full recovery, after which it will be microchipped and released back into the garden where it was found.
This distressing event comes amidst a concerning decline in the UK's hedgehog population. According to the Wildlife Trusts, hedgehog numbers have fallen by between 30% and 75% since 2000. In 2024, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) updated the species' status on its Red List to "Near Threatened," underscoring the critical need for their protection.