Peta offers lage reward following torture of hedgehog in Holt

A hunt is on for the person who fatally hurt the animal, which was found shorn of its spines, spraypainted and with its legs bound on a footpath next to Arkell Avenue in Holt on July 15.

Despite efforts to save the male hedgehog, vets put him down to end his suffering. 

The incident sparked widespread outrage, with RSPCA inspector Ben Kirby saying it was the “most callous incident” he had been called on to deal with in 16 years as an officer. 

The tortured hedgehog. (Image: James Daytona)

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) is offering a reward of up to £2,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. 

Peta vice-president Elisa Allen said: “Animal abusers are a danger to everyone.

"They take their issues out on whomever is available to them – humans or other animals – and must be caught before they act again.”

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And a GoFundMe fundraiser launched by a community member to raise a seperate reward has reached more than £1,240.  

James Daytona, who lives nearby and found the hedgehog when he was out walking his dog, said: "The poor thing was screaming in pain - it had clearly been struggling.”

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.”

The RSPCA is urging people in the area to check CCTV and video doorbell footage in the hope of identifying those responsible. 

Anyone with information is urged to call the inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and quote reference 01115237.