TYLER PERKINS OF IPSWICH STABBED AND KILLED DEFENSELESS HEDGEHOG IN HIS GARDEN

In a disturbing incident in Ipswich, Tyler Perkins, born on October 13, 1998, and residing on Wherstead Road, was involved in a brutal act of animal cruelty that shocked the local community. The incident took place in the early hours of September 9, 2016, when a support worker accompanying Perkins witnessed a horrifying scene in his back garden.

According to the support worker, Perkins went outside around 2 a.m. for a cigarette. During this brief moment outside, a rustling noise caused by a hedgehog disturbed the quiet of the night. This noise prompted Perkins to re-enter his house, where he quickly retrieved an object from the kitchen work surface. Without hesitation, he ran back into the garden, where the support worker observed him commit a series of violent acts against the defenseless animal.

The witness described seeing Perkins stab the hedgehog once in its back with a knife. Following this initial attack, Perkins appeared to become frenzied, stabbing the animal two more times in rapid succession. The support worker recounted that Perkins then attempted to throw the injured hedgehog over his neighbor’s fence, an act that demonstrated a clear intent to dispose of the suffering creature.

It was reported that Perkins, who was intoxicated at the time, had become angry with the hedgehog after noticing it near his bicycle. This seemingly trivial trigger led to a violent and unnecessary attack on the small, defenseless animal. The incident drew immediate concern from animal welfare authorities, and RSPCA inspector Jason Finch was called to the scene at Perkins’ flat. Upon witnessing the aftermath of the attack, Inspector Finch expressed his horror at the cruelty inflicted upon the hedgehog.

Inspector Finch stated, “The hedgehog would have suffered horrendously before it died. Hedgehogs are in decline, and acts like this do not help.” The incident highlighted the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and the importance of protecting vulnerable wildlife in the region.

As a result of his actions, Tyler Perkins was sentenced to an 18-month community order, which includes a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement. Additionally, he was ordered to pay a total of £385 in costs and charges. Importantly, Perkins was also banned from keeping any animals for a period of 10 years, a restriction that will remain in effect until January 2027. The case received coverage from the Ipswich Star and ITV News, emphasizing the community’s concern over such acts of cruelty and the need for stricter enforcement of animal protection laws.