5th September 2017

By Anne North

The town of Wadebridge is in uproar over the torture and killing of a hedgehog.

The animal was found in Jubilee Park after the town’s annual River Festival.  It is thought that youths poisoned and doused the hedgehog in lighter fuel. One local councillor has reported the incident to police.

Some people are calling for a debate at a Town Council meeting later this week, suggesting that Closed Circuit Television could deter such behaviour.  Meanwhile social media is providing a platform for local residents to vent their anger.

“This behaviour has gotten totally out of hand,” said one Facebook comment.  “It looks like someone did this and then tossed it away into the wooden park. Found in a puddle under the walkway. Don't know if they had tried to set fire to it or just torture it. I am fuming. I will be talking to the town council tonight and I want action from the whole town. This can't be allowed to continue.”

More than 30 similar comments have been posted to various social media sites, with several pointing to cuts in policing and the reduction in local PCSO patrols.

The hedgehog incident is the latest in a series in the town’s parks during the school holidays, with many blaming youngsters for vandalism and litter which has kept council grounds staff busy in recent weeks.  A few days ago someone destroyed the gates and fence outside the Egloshayle Pavillion.