'Dog jaws are hedgehog destroyers,' says rescuer

A woman who rescues hedgehogs says she gets calls "on a nightly basis" about the animals being attacked by dogs.

Lucy Felgate-Baumberg, owner of East Yorkshire-based Lucky Hedgehog Rescue, said she wanted owners to keep their dogs on leads between 18:00 and 08:00 BST - the period when hedgehogs are most active.

Five hedgehogs have already been euthanised this year due to the severity of their injuries, she said.

Felgate-Baumberg added: "Dog jaws are hedgehog destroyers. Hedgehogs are in serious decline and we need to do as much as we can to protect them."

Felgate-Baumberg said the organisation, which fields calls from across the UK, had taken 30 calls from people whose dogs had attacked a hedgehog in the last month.

She added: "These dog attacks are getting more and more and more, and very few can be saved.

"People have got to start using their common sense and be more aware of what's around them."

Felgate-Baumberg said dogs can also be harmed, including the hedgehog spines embedding in the dogs gums which can lead to mouth infections.

The hedgehog could also have ringworm which would transfer to the dog, she explained.

She urged dog owners that have realised their dog has attacked a hedgehog to take it to the nearest rescue or to the out-of-hours vets.

As well as keeping dogs on leads during these periods, Felgate-Baumberg suggested building a fenced-off area for dogs in gardens that's sunk into the ground so nothing else can get in.

Felgate-Baumberg suggested recent warm weather may be a factor in the rise in attacks, with people leaving their dogs outside more.

Hedgehogs are also forced to travel further in search of food and water, she said.

"Hedgehogs will dig up grubs usually but the ground is so hard they can't forage," she explained.

Felgate-Baumberg said humans are the biggest threat to hedgehogs, with garden strimmers accounting for a large number of injuries.

Based in Grimston, Lucky Hedgehog Rescue is currently caring for 55 creatures.

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