An appeal by the RSPCA has been launched after a hedgehog was “crucified” to a tree with shoelaces.
The animal welfare charity said a member of the public found the wild animal on Brynglas Avenue in the Pontllanfraith yesterday, Tuesday, April 17.
The male hedgehog was found with their belly facing outwards from the tree, constrained by shoe laces. His leg was bleeding, as was his mouth and nose, and sadly was left unable to curl up.
It is feared the hedgehog would have “suffered immeasurably” as a consequence of being treated this way.
He underwent urgent assessment at an independent veterinary practice, and his progress is now being monitored closely.
RSPCA Cymru is urging anyone with information about the act of cruelty to get in touch. It is suspected the hedgehog may have been tied up on Monday evening.
Inspector Izzi Hignell of the RSPCA said: “We have been left utterly disgusted by this shocking incident, with a poor hedgehog cruelly tied to a tree by a makeshift crucifix of shoelaces.
“This hedgehog will have suffered immeasurably by this horrendous ordeal, and was found with a series of injuries – including facial problems, and a bleeding nose, mouth and leg.
“Sadly, he was left unable to curl up and is now being monitored very closely after such an horrendous ordeal.
“Treating wild animals this way is barbaric and wholly unacceptable.
“We believe this may have occurred on the evening of 16 April. Anyone with information about how this shocking incident may have happened is urged to contact our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018. Calls are treated in confidence.”
If the perpetrators are caught they should be subjected to the same treatment.
Unfortunately John the perpetrators have more rights than animals. These acts of cruelty just demonstrate how sick humans are towards other species of the planet. I believe that the courts need to enforce full powers on anyone found guilty of animal abuse/cruelty, and impose heavy jail sentences along with fines, instead of stupid x number of weeks in jail, as in the case of the role model citizen who hung his border collie.
You are spot on Paul – the courts must impose heavy jail sentences and fines.
The perpetrators of these crimes are not only morons but also cowards – they pick on defenceless animals.
The stories of these despicable acts are becoming far too commonplace and some effective deterrent needs to be put in place sooner rather than later.
What has always worried me, apart from the needless cruelty to animals, is that people who torture other creatures often end up doing the same things to their fellow human beings. Serial killers often start young, their first victims are dogs, cats, horses, etc. This ceases to satisfy their twisted minds and eventually they murder.
That is a worrying thought.
Sick sick sick. Cat killed and put in a bin, a dog hanging from a tree and now this poor little thing.
Who ever done this must be from a twisted family.
Sad very sad, we need tougher laws for this act, maybe a minimum of 5yrs in prison