An animal rescuer is condemning vandals who spray-painted a hedgehog blue, presumably to make it look like Sega’s beloved mascot character, Sonic the Hedgehog.
The heartbreaking story comes from West Yorkshire in the UK, where a male hedgehog was found with extensive chemical burns after being spray-painted blue by supposed vandals. The animal was discovered outside the Wakefield police station and subsequently brought to Castleford Hedgehog Rescue on Tuesday, October 27, for treatment.
Unfortunately, the poor critter didn’t make it. Local reports state that the spray paint literally burned through “several layers” of the hedgehog’s skin, to the point where it melted its spines, causing extreme pain.
29-year-old Beth Campbell, who operates the hedgehog rescue, says she tried everything in her power to help — but the pain was so severe that the defenseless animal literally “screamed himself to death.”
“I don’t know how anyone could be so cruel to an animal. It is disgusting,” she told YorkshireLive. “I haven’t seen anything as bad or as sad as this in a long time. …I’m glad he was brought in, as it meant at least we could ease his suffering and make him feel comfortable.”
Campbell says the spray paint gave the hedgehog significant chemical burns that, in turn, triggered an infection on its now-exposed skin. This, along with potential poisoning from the chemicals in the spray paint, is what ultimately caused its death.
She also revealed that the hedgehog was suffering from a condition known as flystrike, which occurs when flies lay their eggs in animals’ open wounds or soft tissue, resulting in maggots that feast on their flesh. Spray paint aside, Campbell said that the critter would have likely undergone a “slow and ultimately and extremely painful death” in the wild.
On Facebook, the hedgehog rescued posted a heartwrenching tribute to the deceased hedgehog: “As a result of cruelty our poor boy has passed away. This has deeply affected our volunteers and myself as he laid screaming in pain, he was given the full amount of pain relief he could have,” the group wrote.
“Rest peacefully little man, the way you were treated was horrific, we tried everything we possibly could to save you, but you were too precious for this cruel world. Pain free, running free across the rainbow bridge.”
Campbell said she plans to report the incident to police, but is unsure if any action will be taken, given the location where the animal was found. Thus far, no arrests have been made, and local police have not released a statement regarding the matter.
Hedgehogs are listed as a nearly threatened species globally and are classified as vulnerable for extinction within the UK. Populations of the animal have dropped between 30-75% since 2000, with expanding human activity impacting their ability to find food, shelter, and otherwise survive.
Virginia (she/her) is IGN’s News Editor. With ten years of experience reporting on games and entertainment, she’s got a storied background in the fighting game community, influencer news, and viral online trends. Find her on Twitter at @TheeMissGlaze.