MP takes hedgehog cruelty case to parliament

An outraged local MP has decided to take the Sheffield hedgehog cruelty case to parliament, in the hope of raising awareness.

Frankie the hedgehog, named by its carers at Cawthorne Hedgehog Rescue and Care Centre in Barnsley, endured terrible abuse and was found by a maintenance man in Sheffield student accommodation with its spines cut off.

Angela Smith, MP for Peninstone and Stocksbridge has taken the case to parliament, calling for increased protection of hedgehogs.

Terrified Frankie is making slow progress

Ms Smith said she was contacted by a distressed Allen Broadhead, 77, and his wife Anita, 63, who run the care centre.

She said: “They expressed to me their frustration that the perpetrators of this wicked act are very unlikely to be brought to injustice.”

“Can we have a debate, not only on the need to extend and increase the population of hedgehogs… but also on the need to increase protection for these wonderful creatures?”.

Chris Gayling, the leader of the House of Commons, noted that the incident was “utterly unacceptable” and urged the relevant authorities to take the matter “very seriously”.

Frankie had his spines cut off with scissors

He also said that the Government would strive to ensure there is “proper protection for animals in our society”.

Traumatised Frankie is now making a steady recovery at the animal sanctuary, with carers estimating it could take up to eight months for the spines to grow back.

The university of Sheffield are currently investigating the matter, and the RSPCA have been notified.

Suspecting it was an act of deliberate harm, a spokesperson for the RSPCA has urged anyone with any information to call their inspectors’ appeal line in confidence on 0300 123 8018.