Hedgehog family attacked

This little hoglet is lucky to be alive – most of his family were killed by an attack by dogs.  At first, the people who brought him in thought he was the sole survivor.   This morning they discovered another two baby hedgehogs.   They knew that the mother had died and that the little ones were orphans.

All three are now together again and recovering from their ordeal.  They were traumatised when they first came in but heated pads and a snack of meal worms is helping them get over their fright.

When hedgehogs roll up tight there is nothing much can harm them, but when fear and the desire to flee makes them unroll they have no chance.  While the spines on their back are a fantastic defense mechanism, their underbellie are soft and hairless leaving them vulnerable.

Why do dogs want to attack hedgehogs?   It’s instinct I guess and the scent of food – dogs are primarily hunters after all.  Poor hedgies though.

We need more heated pads and hedgehog nursery accommodation – if anyone can help we’d be very grateful.