SAN DIEGO (CBSNews) — Fifteen hedgehogs were found dumped in a trash can in Ocean Beach Thursday (June 1), five of them dead, one in grave condition and some of them languishing in a sealed plastic garbage bag.
The discovery was reported about 10:15 a.m., according to the county Department of Animal Services (DAS).
The animal control officer who responded to the call found several of the spiny exotic mammals loose in the refuse bin, then noticed a trash bag near them moving. He tore open the tied-shut sack and found more hedgehogs inside it.
One of the surviving animals had to be euthanized due its extremely poor condition, DAS Director Dan DeSousa said. The remaining nine were taken to the county agency’s Gaines Street shelter and were expected to survive.
It was unclear who discarded the hedgehogs, an act that could lead to criminal charges of animal abandonment and felony animal cruelty.
“Hedgehogs are very shy, timid creatures and for someone to tie them up in trash bags and throw them away is unconscionable,” DeSousa said.
“Someone needs to come forward with information so we can hold whoever did this cruel act accountable.”
It is illegal in California to own hedgehogs, which are native to Africa, Asia and Europe.
A $3,000 reward is offered to anyone with information in this case.
