Hoglet put down after ‘kicked around like football’ by children

Tragic End for Hoglet After Children's Cruel Football Game

Hoglet put down after kicked around - A young hedgehog has been euthanized following a heartbreaking incident where it was treated like a ball by a group of children. The adorable hoglet, believed to be merely six to eight weeks old, suffered devastating injuries that ultimately proved fatal. The heart-wrenching scene was witnessed by a DPD delivery driver who happened to be in Maidstone, Kent at the time. Spotting the small creature being pummeled by youngsters, the driver immediately stepped in to halt the abuse. Without hesitation, he transported the injured animal to a nearby Vets for Pets location. From there, a dedicated volunteer collected the hoglet and brought it to Thorne Hedgehog Rescue for specialized care. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of veterinary professionals, the little hedgehog could not survive its injuries.

Severe Injuries Documented

Upon examination, veterinarians discovered that the hoglet had endured multiple blunt force trauma injuries from the relentless kicking. The young animal was immediately transferred to the intensive care unit where it received fluids to combat shock and was administered pain relief medication. Under sedation, further assessment revealed the extent of the damage. The hoglet's upper palate was fractured, and its liver had been lacerated from the force of the children's kicks. These internal injuries, combined with the external trauma, were too severe for the tiny creature to recover from. Lisa Steward, who owns Thorne Hedgehog Rescue, described the heartbreaking scene. She noted that the animal had been "kicked like a football" by the children.

Any hedgehog out in the day is sick or injured, she explained. He would be struggling in this heat with dehydration, limited access to water, and he's very young as well, so they come out because they need help.

Lisa continued to express her frustration that no one had sought help for the distressed animal.

Any kid seeing that, you would think they would tell their mum, who would organise for it to go to a vet or rescue, but that didn't happen.

Rising Cases of Animal Cruelty

According to Lisa, this marks the fourth occurrence within the past twelve months where a hoglet has been used as a makeshift football. The pattern of deliberate cruelty is becoming increasingly concerning for wildlife rescue organizations.

You would think that anyone who saw an animal in pain would not want to worsen and inflict further pain and suffering, she remarked.

The rescue center is currently experiencing a surge in hedgehog admissions. Lisa revealed that they are receiving between fifteen and twenty hedgehogs daily. This influx is partly due to the ongoing heatwave, which makes it difficult for hedgehogs to find adequate hydration.

We're getting 15 to 20 hedgehogs in a day at the moment, and the last thing we need is deliberate cruelty cases. Unfortunately, it's something we're seeing more and more commonly, she added.

Rescue Center Operations

Thorne Hedgehog Rescue, situated on Smarden Road, operates entirely on volunteer power with no paid employees. At present, the facility houses approximately one hundred hedgehogs, with more than sixty being orphaned hoglets requiring round-the-clock care. Lisa emphasizes that placing a shallow dish of water outside each day can serve as a "lifesaver" for hedgehogs during periods of extreme heat. This simple gesture can prevent dehydration and potentially save lives. To help cover expenses for medications, food, and cleaning supplies, the rescue has established a JustGiving donation page. The community is encouraged to contribute to support these vulnerable animals. The tragic loss of this young hoglet serves as a stark reminder of the importance of treating all creatures with compassion and kindness, regardless of their size.