Four men have been arrested on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after a hedgehog was painted in the colours of Leeds United FC.The incident occurred when an adult female hedgehog was found covered in yellow and blue paint inside a woman's home in Yeadon, Leeds.The paint caused the spiky mammal to be unable to curl up into a ball, leading to breathing difficulties due to fumes.

Prickly Pigs Hedgehog Rescue took in the animal, which required scrubbing to remove oil-based paint from each spine and administration of pain relief.

Animal shelter owner Diane Cook condemned the act as 'absolutely appalling', noting the hedgehog's restricted movement left it vulnerable to predators or starvation.The four men, aged 44, 21, 17, and 15, were arrested under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and bailed for further enquiries.

Hedgehogs are now listed as 'vulnerable' on Britain's red list, with populations declining by up to 50% in rural areas since the early 2000s.The case highlights the legal protections for wildlife and the consequences of animal cruelty.