Wild animals are being deliberately harmed across Sussex.

A hedgehog that was brutally kicked was put down, a fox cub was poisoned and seagulls shot in a string of brutal attacks. The prickly creature suffered severe trauma from a broken jaw and had to be put out of its misery yesterday when vets decided its life could not be saved.

The savage attack on the hedgehog, found in Lewes, is the second time in less than a week in which a hedgehog needed to be put down after being kicked.

Trevor Weeks of East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service said: “I am sickened and very upset. Over the years I have hardened emotionally but now and then you get cases which are upsetting and sickening, this is one of them. I find cruelty very hard to come to terms with. I don’t get upset easily but this is sick and disgusting. Whoever has done this is a seriously shallow person and one who needs to be named and shamed.”

Another hedgehog had to be put down after being found at Uckfield Community College last Wednesday. It had suffered a broken leg, damaged spine, injured eye and pneumonia after being kicked.