Hedgehogs impaled in 'horrific' attack
Tracy Okten at Foxglove Park where the hedgehogs were foundCallous thugs impaled three hedgehogs on sticks in a bizarre act of violence against the animals.
The despicable crime in Cherry Hinton left residents horrified after finding the dead creatures at Foxglove Park yesterday morning.
The animals were discovered heaped together with their innards left trailed across the ground next to them.
They all had entrance and exit wounds, believed to be from a sharp stick.
The attack is not the first instance of violent abuse of hedgehogs in the area.
In the past there have been reports of hedgehogs being tied in carrier bags and burnt and thrown at walls, say residents.
Tracy Okten, 48, of Buffalo Way, Cherry Hinton, said: “I’ve seen so many things like this before that I’m not shocked – I am horrified and disgusted, but no longer shocked.”
Mrs Okten added: “It’s horrible to know that this kind of thing is going on at night when you can’t do anything about it.”
“The individuals who carried out this attack need psychiatric care – they’re a danger to society, never mind hedgehogs.”
Fay Vass, chief executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), said: “Thankfully we don’t hear of this kind of attack very often – usually there are less than 10 such instances in a year.”
Miss Vass added: “Hedgehogs are an easy animal to target as they don’t run away – they just curl into a ball, making it very easy for a human to harm them.”
A spokesman for Cambridgeshire police confirmed the incident had been reported and passed to the RSPCA.
Chris Nice from the RSPCA said: “The only natural predators of hedgehogs are badgers, and the specific entrance and exit wounds found on these animals bear no resemblance to that of a badger attack.
“A badger would not have left the remains in the way they were found.”
Mrs Okten added the area in which the discovery was made is poorly lit, making it easy for the culprits to commit their cruel acts without being seen. “It is very dark with no street lights, a very creepy area at night,” she said.
If those responsible are caught, they could be jailed for six months or fined up to £20,000.
Wed Nov 30, 2011 8:29 am
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