'Checking before strimming could save a hedgehog'

A hedgehog rescue charity is urging people to check their gardens before strimming, warning that a few minutes of care could save an animal's life.

Holderness Hedgehog Hospital said two hedgehogs in its care were left with "very serious head injuries" after being struck by strimmers and "would have died" if the wounds had been any deeper.

Charity trustee Cath Novis said: "It's an unnecessary thing to happen. It only takes five minutes to check [for hedgehogs]."

Fay Vass, chief executive for British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) said hedgehogs were "in steep decline across the UK" and "just a few simple checks can make a life-saving difference to a hedgehog."

Novis said the rescue centre currently had about 92 hedgehogs in its care.

She said one of the injured hedgehogs was admitted earlier this year, while another arrived a few weeks ago.

The cases prompted the charity to issue a social media appeal, asking people to check long grass and hedges before using gardening equipment.

"In the case of these two, there's been a very nasty cut across the skull which has also removed the spines.

"It's a very, very nasty cut but they are on the mend."

Novis said the rescue had also treated a hedgehog called Marmite after it was injured by a lawnmower.

"The lawnmower blade had actually gone across the top of his head, that's one of the worst injuries that we actually saw.

"He's now been released in a lovely garden."

She said it could take a long time for hedgehogs to recover from these wounds, and they require regular treatment to prevent infections.

Novis said hedgehogs being injured by strimmers made her "angry".

She urged people to spend time checking grass, hedges and areas of undergrowth before starting garden work.

"That can prevent injuries and save a life," she added.

She also encouraged people to put out bowls of water for hedgehogs and other wildlife.

• Leave some areas of grass unmown to provide shelter and habitat for wildlife
• Check long grass, hedges and undergrowth carefully before using mowers or strimmers
• Leave a wild corner in your garden and put out a shallow bowl of water for hedgehogs and other wildlife
• Keep sheds and garages closed with poisons out of reach

Vass from BHPS said: "Every year, hedgehogs are horrifically injured or killed in gardens by mowers and strimmers - and these incidents can be easily prevented."

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