Fundraiser launched for Leeds wildlife rescue following death of hedgehog covered in paint

The death of a hedgehog who was painted blue and yellow in Leeds has triggered a wave of donations to the wildlife rescue which tried to save its life.

Over £1500 has been donated to Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue in Otley following the death of Honey, an adult female hedgehog who was discovered covered in blue and yellow paint in a garden in Yeadon early this month.

Due to the paint, Honey was unable to “curl up” into a ball and was left with “breathing problems” because of the fumes.

Staff at Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue tried to help the poor creature by scrubbing clean each individual spine to remove the oil-based paint and administering pain relief, but unfortunately Honey died on Wednesday (July 22).

Now, a GoFundMe page has been set up to support the charity and £1,555 has been raised so far.

In a statement on Facebook, Diane Cook, owner of Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue said: “Donations of all forms have been coming in and, again, thank you ever so much.

“The show of support for us is very humbling and we’re continuing to fight for our prickly friends and the rescue.”

Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue works to take in sick, injured, and orphaned hedgehogs in Otley and the surrounding areas.

Money raised is set to support day-to-day costs of running the rescue, such as vet bills and equipment.

Following the discovery of Honey, four people have been arrested in Leeds on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

Hedgehog numbers are declining in the UK and the species is now listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the British Red List for Mammals.