The torture of a hedgehog found with its legs tied and spines trimmed short has sparked outrage.
The mistreated male was found sprayed with blue paint and in severe pain on a footpath next to Arkell Avenue in Holt on Saturday evening (July 15).
RSPCA inspector Ben Kirby said it was the “most callous incident” he had been called on to deal with in 16 years as an officer.
And people from the Holt community have also expressed their sadness and anger over the actions of whoever was responsible for hurting the hedgehog, which later had to be put down.
Maggie Prior, town councillor, called the abuse “beyond despicable”.
Ms Prior, a former Holt mayor, said: “I wouldn’t be at all surprised if this isn’t just as likely to be more than one person.
“This isn’t a minor incident - it speaks to their whole state of mind and contempt for the safety of life and wellbeing of animals and people, especially those who have no link to them personally.”
Kathryn Semmence-Allison, 37 and from Holt, said: “The suffering must have been absolutely brutal.
“Let's hope we can find out who this coward is and get them dealt with by the authorities before they harm anything else.”
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Hannah Chapman, from Holt, called the incident “sickening” while Rosie Wright said it was “truly disturbing”.
Duncan Baker, North Norfolk MP who grew up in Holt, said: “How can anyone inflict such cruel and needless torture on a poor little hedgehog?
“This is a disgusting act, and I hope those responsible will be found. We cannot allow this kind of cruelty to go unpunished.”
A member of the public rushed the hedgehog to a vet in Fakenham after finding it around 8pm, but the vet had no other option but to put the animal to sleep given his condition, and so as not to prolong his pain.
Mr Kirby said: "It was absolutely heartbreaking to see the state this poor hedgehog had been left in - with his legs bound together by tape, and his spines trimmed right down.
"He'd also been sprayed with blue paint - potentially so they'd be able to see him more clearly in the nearby hedgerow after they'd tortured him.
“I just cannot believe what this poor hedgehog has been put through; it seems very much like he has been the victim of a premeditated attack. It's the most callous incident I've had to deal with in 16 years as an officer.”
An online fundraiser has been launched, with its organiser hoping to reward anyone who gives information leading to the prosecution of those responsible. If not, the proceeds would be donated to the RSPCA. The appeal can be found on JustGiving.com, or at www.rb.gy/6d2cx.
The exact location the hedgehog was found can be identified by searching for cyclones.signified.bounded on the app What3Words.
Mr Kirby added: “We know video doorbells and CCTV can override fairly quickly - so we've launched this urgent appeal for information in the hope that the local community can support our enquiries.
"If anyone saw anything suspicious in this area of Holt in recent days, we urge them to contact our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018, and quote reference 01115237."
The police have also been informed of the incident - information can be reported to them via 101, or online at www.norfolk.police.uk/contact-us/6-report-it.
The RSPCA is running a Cancel Out Cruelty campaign to highlight shocking and deliberate cruelty against animals.
Mr Kirby added: “This shocking incident highlights the difficult work we do on the frontline every single day.”
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Helping hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are the UK’s favourite wild animal, and estimates say there could be between 200,000-250,000 of them living in back gardens and other urban green spaces across the country.
The eastern half of Norfolk and part of Suffolk have among the highest densities of hedgehogs in Britain.
Marian Grimes, from Hedgehog Haven rescue centre in North Walsham, described the Holt attack as “absolutely shocking”.
Mrs Grimes said this summer had been busy, and she had seen some hedgehogs brought in with injuries from vehicles or garden equipment.
She urged people to leave out a dish of water in their gardens for hedgehogs, and take action if one of the nocturnal animals was spotted out and about during daylight hours.
Mrs Grimes said: “Out during the day is not OK.
“If they are out there is some kind of problem - they may have fly strike which could develop into maggots or something else. You need to get them help straight away.”
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