A COUNCILLOR has urged for more caution when using strimmers after he received reports of hedgehogs being found with ‘severed limbs’ in Kendal.

Cllr Eamonn Hennessy received the reports from a resident of Archers Meadow, who said she had been finding maimed and dead hedgehogs for a number of years.

“I was shocked last week to receive an email from a resident stating that over the last couple of years she has found several hedgehogs either dead or injured (severed limbs and gashes) in the Archers Meadow area,” said Cllr Hennessy.

The injuries were shown to an expert who believed they had been caused by strimmers.

“Upon inspection of the injuries sustained it was the opinion of an expert from Furness Hedgehog Rescue that they had clearly been caused by the use of strimmers,” said Cllr Hennessy.

“Clearly, we need to address these wholly avoidable issues.”

Cllr Hennessy said he had visited the site near to the playground at the back of Archers Meadow at the weekend, seeing clear evidence of a population of hedgehogs in the area.

Although it is not absolutely certain how the hogs are sustaining the horrific injuries, Cllr Hennessy is hoping to remind people to check gardens and green spaces for hedgehogs before using such equipment.

“I have spoken with council officers and they have advised that their contractors are regularly fully briefed and advised that they should check all areas to be strimmed. I have asked for these particular incidents to be logged and for advice regarding hedgehogs to be reiterated,” he said.

“I am also looking into obtaining some warning signs for the Archers Meadow area to remind people of the presence of this “hedgehog highway”.”

It has perhaps never been more important to ensure the safety of our prickly friends after the Mammal Society released their first Red List, which revealed hedgehogs were amongst several native British species vulnerable to the risk of extinction.

There are a number of things the public can do to help, including leaving out food and water (not fish and no milk), getting a hedgehog house, creating access holes so hogs can easily access gardens, think about having a wild corner in your garden and be careful not to leave netting on the ground.