A poor hedgehog has had to be put down after youths kicked it the animal around causing horrendous injuries.

The defenceless animal was a victim of the horrific attack in Grange Lane South, Scunthorpe on October 12.

Andrew’s Hedgehog Hospital wrote on Facebook that youths had been seen kicking the animal around.

A person walking by spotted what has happened and intervened before rushing the animal to get medical care.

However, its injuries were so severe that the vet treating the animal was left feeling sick.

The animal was in that much pain and that badly hurt that the decision to put it down was made.

Police are investigating the attack [File]

Posting about the cruel act on Facebook, Andrew’s Hedgehog Hospital wrote: “If anyone who lives in the vicinity of Grange Lane South and saw some young people kicking a hedgehog around please contact us.

“Hedgehogs are not footballs, netballs, objects to be poked with sticks, kicked, set fire to or thrown around and as such these actions causing unnecessary suffering to an animal are subject to prosecution.

“This event happened this afternoon and was witnessed by a passer-by who rescued the hedgehog.

“It was taken to the vets and most likely will be euthanaised with damage to its head, an eye lost and internal injuries.

It then went on to explain the horrendous injuries the animal suffered as a result of the callous act.

The post continued: “I just had a report from the vet who said she felt sick at the state of the hog.

“Its face was smashed in, its jaw broken, both eyes out, bones sticking out and massive internal bleeding and it was in terrible pain.

“Will someone please tell me how we stop these teenagers, who think it is funny and were laughing when the lady rescued it, from treating wildlife so badly.

“When they grow up what will they do to another human being?”

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Police have revealed the hedgehog was put to sleep and a specialist team are looking into the incident.

A spokesman for the force said: "Specialist wildlife crime officers are investigating reports that a group of boys in Scunthorpe attacked a hedgehog, causing injuries so horrific it had to be put to sleep.

"It’s understood that the animal was attacked in the Grange Lane South area of the town and while we have not been contacted by anyone who directly witnessed the incident, we have been made aware of posts on social media and are looking into the circumstances.

"We appreciate that people will be distressed and angry about what has reportedly happened but ask that they do not publically speculate on who may be involved."

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call 101, quoting log number 67 of the date 13/10/2020

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The post has been shared in the nearby towns and villages, including Gainsborough, in the hope the culprits can be caught.

In an update yesterday, October 14, Andrews Hedgehog Hospital said a county school was involved in the investigation along with the RSPCA.

It said three names had been identified, which are being followed up.