RSPCA rescuers use coat hanger to free hedgehog trapped inside drain pipe at Peterborough home

The hog’s rescuers bent the coat hanger into a hook and were able to gently pull the prickly animal from the narrow pipe in Henry Street.

RSPCA officials say the hedgehog had been trapped about 12 inches down the drain pipe.

After its release, the hog was taken to the RSPCA centre at East Winch to make sure he was fully fit to be released back into the wild.

Now the RSPCA has urged homeowners to keep drains covered securely to ensure hedgehogs and other mammals do not fall inside.

Animal Rescue Officer Naomi Sadoff and trainee Kieran Munns were the RSPCA officials who came to the hog’s rescue on September 7.

Naomi said: “The homeowner was horrified that the poor hog had fallen down the drain and was so worried about him.

“They told us that the drain cover was broken so they’d removed it but they never expected an animal to fall in.

“After we managed to free the little hedgehog they went straight to the shop to buy a replacement cover.

She said: “It just goes to show how important it is to keep pipes, drains and other hazards covered so animals like hedgehogs don’t fall inside.

“The hedgehog was large - making it even harder for us to free him.”

Kieran said: “We ended up using a wire coat hanger to hook underneath him and gently lift him out.

“He was breathing but curled up tight in a ball so we weren’t able to check him over there and then.

So we took him to our specialist team at the RSPCA’s East Winch Wildlife Centre.”

RSPCA wildlife expert Rebecca Machin said: “There are lots of hazards in our gardens for wildlife so we’d ask everyone to take a few simple steps to make their outdoor spaces wildlife-friendly to avoid incidents like this.

“If you have any holes, gaps, drains or pipes, please ensure they’re securely covered.

“If you have a pond then make sure there’s a sloped side, ramp or rocks so any animals who fall in can make their way out, and won’t drown”.

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