Four men are arrested after hedgehog is painted in Leeds United colours

Four men have been arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after a hedgehog was painted in the colours of Leeds United FC. 

West Yorkshire Police's Wildlife and Rural Crime team said four men aged 44, 21, 17 and 15 were arrested over the weekend under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act of 2006. 

The adult female hedgehog was found inside a woman's home in Yeadon, Leeds, on July 13, covered in yellow and blue paint. 

The paint meant that the spiky mammal was unable to curl up into a ball and was left with breathing problems due to the fumes from the paint. 

Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue based in Otley, Leeds, took in the animal, which had to be scrubbed to remove oil-based paint from each individual spine. 

The hedgehog was also administered pain relief. 

Animal shelter owner Diane Cook, 51, said the actions were 'absolutely appalling', regardless of whether they were football-related.

According to Ms Cook, because the creature had restricted movement, it had no way of defending itself from predators and could have easily been killed - or worse, have slowly starved to death or succumbed to malnutrition. 

Ms Cook, who runs the shelter from her converted garage, said the paint was so 'thick and tough it had glued her spines together'. 

The animal lover also said the paint was similar to emulsion used for decorating or even marking road surfaces. 

Police said that all four men have been bailed for further enquiries to take place. 

A spokesperson for the force said: 'Four arrests have been made after a hedgehog was sprayed blue in the Yeadon area, Leeds. 

'Over the weekend four men aged 44, 21, 17 and 15 were arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal contrary to Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. 

'All four have been bailed for further enquiries to take place. 

'Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or use the Live Chat option on our website quoting reference 13260401913. 

'Information can also be given anonymously to the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.' 

Hedgehogs are in decline and are now listed as 'vulnerable' on Britain's red list of mammals. 

According to the latest State of Britain's hedgehogs report, numbers of hedgehogs have fallen by up to 30 per cent in urban areas and 50 per cent in rural areas since the turn of the century.