I am so horrified and upset about what happened to Henry, but rather than sharing only images of his final heartbreaking moments, I'm sharing this post. Happier times in his life and in his family's 💕
Rest in Peace Henry Novak 🕊
Animal abuse takes many forms.
Yesterday I had a phone call from someone who had taken in a hedgehog seen dragging a leg, and who was now having problems breathing.
The word 'now' caught my attention, so I asked when he was found.
3 weeks ago, she said.
Then hurried to assure me he'd been kept warm and safe and fed, in a cage.
3 weeks.
Twenty one days suffering the agony of a broken leg, and denied pain relief.
Twenty one days of bearing the torment of internal parasites, and the distress and panic of feeling his lungs gradually fill with fluid, and each breath being more and more of a struggle.
Added to this suffering, and exacerbating it; the panic and endless fear of being handled and kept in captivity - a wild animal's most stressful punishment.
And this poor gentle little hedgehog had been bearing this hell silently, every hour of every day, for three weeks.
Everyone knows how little legal protection our wildlife have, but the fact that keeping a wild animal captive like this, denying him medical attention, is liable on summary conviction to six months' imprisonment and an unlimited fine, shows you just how cruel and serious a crime this is.
Yet I hear versions of this story every week.
Sometimes the caller is unaware they are doing wrong, and have genuinely convinced themselves they are being kind.
Some know they are wrong, but absolve themselves with the excuse their local rescue was full.
Some, like this caller, know what they are doing, but choose not to think about that. It's only when the novelty of their victim's cuteness wears off, or the smell from the poor infected animal gets too strong, that they call.
So if you know of someone who has taken a hedgehog in and is keeping him, and hasn't taken him to a rescue, please do whatever you can to convince them to do the right thing.
And please have no doubt, no matter what you read elsewhere, any hedgehog out in the day is seriously ill and needs urgent attention from a rescue.
And any hedgehog limping is in agony, and needs urgent attention.
It is NEVER okay to take in and just keep ANY wild animal, and certainly not a hedgehog.
ALWAYS take them to a good rescue first.
I couldn't convince this caller to tell me where they were, other than 'the Hampshire and Surrey borders', but I gave them the details of a place where they could surrender him to, no questions asked. I can only hope they do the right thing and finally get this poor little soul relief from his pain and torment.
@MongersPodcast@VintageReadShow Have you watched the UK channel 4 doco ( it’s on Rumble ) The things we won’t say about race that are true - 2015. Highly recommend and would like your thoughts.