Hedgehog killed after firework attached to its head and set off

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world

Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice

A hedgehog has died after a firework was attached to its head and set off in Lancashire.

The animal’s injuries were so severe it had to be put down following the incident in Pendlebury Close, Longton, on Friday evening.

Lancashire Police said in a Facebook post: “It comes with great sadness to say that the hedgehog has had to be put down due to the extent of it injuries.

“We request that anyone who may have any information regarding this incident come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting log 1702 of 8 November or to give information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

It came just a day after two boys, aged 11 and 14, admitted kicking a hedgehog to death in court.

The schoolboys set upon the helpless animal, nicknamed “Little Man” by locals, in Hayton Close, Sunderland, in September.

Police investigating the attack later discovered other videos of animal cruelty on one of the boy’s phones.

The films included the youths encouraging a dog to fatally injure a rabbit and pigeon chicks.

Both boys pleaded guilty to five wildlife offences including causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, cruel treatment of a wild animal and killing a wild bird at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

The boys were referred to the youth offending team and one of the sentencing options is re-education through volunteering at a wildlife charity.