A hedgehog was fatally injured by a group of teenagers on Friday evening.
A witness to the tragedy says that ‘a group of lads on mopeds’ were seen to torture the animal by ‘standing on it causing it to squeal and using a lighter to burn it until it died’.
The incident happened near Westgate Nursery School on Cricklade Road, Highworth, near the Oak Drive junction at around 4.30pm on 12 May.
On seeing the information on social media, a local man who wants to remain anonymous, told Wiltshire 999s that he went to check out the scene of the horrific crime.
“He [the witness] said that there were two hedgehogs, one dead on the pavement and one dead in the road. One of them was being tortured by the lads.
“I went and had a look. One has been run over, but the other was definitely tortured.
“He [the witness] said he didn’t want to stop as there was five lads, and one of him.”
Wiltshire 999s understands that the incident was not reported to the police, despite the nocturnal nomads being listed as endangered species.
Two brothers from County Durham were sentenced to six weeks in prison after attacking an innocent hedgehog at their local retail park back in December last year.
Report hedgehog abuse to the police
If you are witness to a hedgehog, or other animal, being attacked, please report the incident to the police by calling 999 (if the incident is ongoing) or 101 (in a non-emergency).
