Sign up to get the latest Burton news in a daily email bulletin Subscribe Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A hedgehog found in a Burton park was left with a severely fractured skull and ribs after it was attacked by a dog, an animal rescuer has said.

Lindsey Newell, of Etwall-based Linjoy Wildlife Sanctuary and Rescue, said the animal had suffered such awful injuries that the vet had to put the creature down to end his suffering.

She said it had been left with puncture wounds from a dog bite.

And now the sanctuary boss urging dog owners to contact wildlife centres rather than release hedgehogs back into the wild as their injuries may not always be apparent.

She said: "This poor hedgehog was found in grassed area in a park in Burton on Sunday, April 19, with a head injury.

"He had puncture wounds from a dog bite on his head and body.

"Although we don’t think someone allowed their dog to do this (well, we hope not), the owner may have thought it was ok to release him in the park after the dog attacked it in a garden.

"Although he could curl up, he was struggling to breathe with the injuries.

"Our vet anaesthetised and x-rayed him. An examination under anaesthetic revealed blood in his mouth and noisy breathing.

"The x-ray revealed a severely fractured skull and ribs and he was humanely euthanised to end his suffering.

"If your dog gets a hedgehog, please do not just release them elsewhere.

"You must contact a wildlife centre as injuries are not always apparent.

"All dog-attacked hedgehogs are examined by our vet under gaseous anaesthesia.

"This allows us to check for any injuries that aren't obvious by a general examination and observation."