Hedgehog Dies After Vandals Spray-Paint It Blue to Look Like Sonic

An animal rescuer is condemning vandals who spray-painted a hedgehog blue, apparently to make the animal resemble Sega's mascot, Sonic the Hedgehog. The animal died after the incident.

The case is a grim reminder of how dangerous aerosol paint can be to small wildlife. Spray paints contain solvents and propellants that can irritate or burn skin, eyes and airways. Hedgehogs also groom themselves constantly, so a coated animal can swallow paint as it tries to clean its spines. Rescuers generally stress that even a small amount of paint on a wild animal can be serious, and that anyone who finds a painted or injured hedgehog should contact a local wildlife rescue rather than attempt to clean it themselves.

The stunt also points to the character's enduring pull. Sonic debuted in 1991 on the Sega Genesis, and his cobalt-blue quills, red sneakers and white gloves remain among the most recognizable designs in gaming. That popularity has made him a go-to costume and symbol for fans, but using the look on a living animal crosses a clear line.

The source material does not say who carried out the act, where it happened, or whether anyone has been arrested. Those details will matter for any follow-up, and until they surface, the story is best understood as a cruelty case that happened to borrow a video game character's color scheme.