Winsford police investigate reports youths 'set hedgehogs on fire'

One animal was taken to Northwich Hedgehog Rescue (NHR) by a passerby who saw a group of youths surrounding the animal on land near the new Costa Coffee, Dene Drive, at around 6pm on Monday, May 6.

There was also a small fire burning nearby, and when the passerby approached, the youths ran off.

When she got nearer the hedgehog, she found it smelled of smoke and 'some kind of liquid fuel, possibly petrol'.

She took the animal to NHR at around 6.30pm, where Helen Gill, who runs the Boundary Street centre, said the animal was ‘clearly in shock’. 

She added: “I’ve no words to describe how I feel about this. It’s just disgraceful. I’ve no idea where these kinds of people get off.

“The police have been informed, but we don’t always get the action we deserve.

The passerby who rescued him thought he was a hoglet, but he's an adult underweight from hibernation, according to staff at Northwich Hedgehog Rescue (Image: Northwich Hedgehog Rescue)

“We’re thinking of calling him Phoenix. I gave him supporting fluids throughout the night, which helps to reduce shock.

“I need to get him into a warm bath to get rid of the stench of smoke and fuel.

“There are no signs of internal injuries yet, but he will still need a body X-ray to check for broken bones and lung damage from smoke inhalation.

“I was told he was a hoglet, but he isn’t. He’s just very underweight. This happens when they come out of hibernation. They can really struggle.

“You’d be surprised how much hedgehog cruelty goes on. This year we’ve already heard of a hoglet being kicked around by a toddler as his mum did nothing.

The hedgehog needs a chest X-ray to see whether he's suffered lung damage from inhaling smoke (Image: Northwich Hedgehog Rescue)

“We’ve heard of some teenagers who put a hoglet in a crisp packet and stamped on it. We’ve even heard of one painted blue, like Sonic.

“We’ve also had fireworks taped to them in the past, and another gaffer taped to a telegraph pole.”

Helen says Phoenix, if he recovers, still only has about a 50 per cent chance of ever being released into the wild again.

Cheshire Police have confirmed they're aware of the incident. 

A spokesman said: “The Winsford beat team is looking into reports a group of youths tried to set fire to hedgehogs on land by Costa Coffee in the town.

“The team is currently liaising with a rescue charity which is treating one of the hedgehogs.

“The incident occurred on Monday, May 6, sometime between 6pm and 6.30pm.

“There have been no arrests. Enquiries are continuing into the identity of those responsible. Anyone with information should contact Cheshire Police on 101 or via the website quoting IML 1817123.

“Alternatively, information can be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”