Rescue centre overwhelmed by public support after hedgehog 'Honey' dies following paint attack. The animal, found in Leeds coated in blue and yellow paint, was treated in Otley but died 10 days later after ingesting toxic substances. Four males (44, 21, 17 and 15) were arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering and released on bail. A crowdfunding effort has raised about £5,500 to support Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue, which cares for hundreds of hedgehogs each year.
Community Rallies After 'Honey' the Hedgehog Dies Following Paint Attack in Leeds
Rescue 'blown away' by support after hedgehog death
A wildlife rescue has said it was "absolutely bowled over" by public support after a hedgehog found coated in thick blue and yellow paint died despite treatment.
The female hedgehog, named Honey, was discovered in a garden in Leeds covered in oily blue and yellow paint and taken to Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue in Otley for urgent care. Volunteers carefully scraped paint from each of Honey's spines, but staff reported she "deteriorated very quickly" after ingesting toxic substances and died 10 days later, Diane Cook of Prickly Pigs said.
"It hit us hard, the fact that she died by the direct result of the things that people had done to her — that was what made it so heartbreaking," Cook said. "Wildlife don't have their own voice, not like cats and dogs that have owners to stand up for them."
Cook added: "It was devastating — but it's created so much traction. People will have to realise it's not acceptable behaviour and you are going to get caught and punished in some way or another." She said Honey had struggled to breathe and could not curl into a defensive ball after the paint was applied.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed four males, aged 44, 21, 17 and 15, were arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and have been released on bail while inquiries continue. The force appealed for anyone with information about the incident in the LS19 area of Leeds to call 101.
Support and Fundraising
Since Honey's death, a fundraising page for Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue has raised about £5,500. Cook, who launched the rescue during lockdown and currently runs it from her garage, said the donations will cover day-to-day costs such as food, medication and treatment — and help toward a larger, more suitable facility.
Cook and her husband have been inundated with hedgehog food parcels, boxes of equipment and messages from well-wishers. She estimates the rescue cares for up to 500 hedgehogs a year and said the outpouring of support "has just been absolutely amazing and restored some of our faith in humanity."
If you have information about the incident, West Yorkshire Police asked members of the public to contact them via 101.
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