A small hedgehog which was receiving urgent care has died after being subjected to a "cruel and distressing" attack in a Skelmersdale park by schoolchildren.
The incident is reported to have taken place at Greenhill Community Hub, where individuals, believed to be schoolgirls, were seen throwing the poor animal down a slide and into the air before burying it alive in a plant pot.
The hedgehog, later nicknamed 'Hedgy', was discovered by two schoolboys who had witnessed part of the ordeal.
Realising something was wrong, they returned to the park and found the animal still alive beneath the soil before alerting an adult and helping ensure it was brought to safety.
Hedgy was taken to Haydock Hedgehog Helpers Rescue in St Helens, Merseyside, but the charity shared an update on Tuesday night confirming he had since died.
Rescuer Kelly Leyland said she had been left "beyond outraged, heartbroken and disgusted by the incident."
Read more
She said the animal had arrived in a collapsed state and its condition suggested it had already been unwell prior to the attack, noting a low body temperature and a life-threatening condition called fly strike, caused by flies laying eggs on an animal.
Ms Leyland said this likely meant the hedgehog had been active during daylight hours because it was ill and vulnerable.
She added: "Instead of finding kind people to help him, he was thrown around like a toy."
She said that because of his condition, Hedgy would probably not have been able to curl into a ball to defend himself, meaning he could not use his spines as natural protection from the blows.
Before his death, Hedgy had been closely monitored, receiving pain relief and being kept warm in an incubator, with plans in place to take him for further veterinary assessment, including X-rays, once his condition stabilised.
Ms Leyland praised the actions of the two boys who intervened, calling their response "incredibly brave and compassionate".
She said the boy who brought Hedgy in with his mum had a face "so full of hope and kindness".
Lancashire Police confirmed they are aware of the incident and said their enquiries are ongoing.
Share