Honey the hedgehog has died days after being found painted in the colours of Leeds United, in an incident described as an appalling alleged act of animal cruelty. The case has prompted concern because the paint and handling may have caused severe distress and harmed the animal’s health.

The article reports that Honey was discovered with blue and white paint on her spines and was taken into care, but did not survive. The circumstances of how she was painted remain under scrutiny, with the incident linked in the report to alleged football-related antisocial behaviour.