Hedgehog used in attack on teenager

A man in New Zealand has been charged with using a hedgehog as a weapon, the New Zealand Herald has reported.

Police said William Singalargh, 27, hurled the hedgehog, similar to the one pictured here, at a 15-year-old boy.

"It hit the victim in the leg, causing a large, red welt and several puncture marks," Senior Sgt. Bruce Jenkins, in the North Island town of Whakatane, told the Herald.

It was unclear whether the hedgehog was still alive when it was thrown; it was dead when collected as evidence.

The police spokesman said the suspect was arrested "for assault with a weapon, namely the hedgehog."

Singalargh is due to appear in court next Thursday. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.

-- Francisco Vara-Orta

Photo: Myung J. Chun/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[bruce lerner]

Clearly, there needs to be some form of common-sense regulation of hedgehogs. Perhaps, as a first step, registration; with confiscation as the final goal. Citiznes cannot be trusted with hedgehogs.

[stevo]

The US Constitution is very clear about this: A well-regulated militia being necessary to the defense of the United States, the right to bear hedgehogs shall not be infringed. Perhaps our diligent congress should revisit this amendment.

[Castulo Guerra]

Well played, Mr. Lerner, well played.

[Dave]

No where in the article is mention made of the superiority of American hedge hog vs the spiny, clearly hazardous, New Zealand variety.

[M.]

Seriously, was Mr. Singalargh charged with animal cruelty also?
Oh, that's right, this is the LAT, new home of rip-and-read journalism.

[Kathryn]

Seriously? Who throws a hedgehog?