AN animal charity is investigating a sickening video which shows laughing yobs apparently give drugs to a hedgehog.
The disturbing footage shows a man using a key to dig around in a small bag of white powder, possibly ketamine.
He then pulls the key out, with a small quantity of the powder attached, and the camera pans to a hedgehog on grass nearby.
A group of males can then be heard bursting into laughter as the powder is then placed under the curious hog’s nose.
The white powder seems to disappear and the laughter intensifies. The man holding the key can be heard saying: “That’s it.”
Although the audio is unclear, a male in the background with a Scottish accent is believed to be saying: “You want a bit of…ket?”
The camera moves very close to the hedgehog’s head before the clip cuts out.
The video appeared on a Twitter page belonging to @Connorcoll16 from Glasgow yesterday afternoon with the caption “Boost!”.
It prompted such shock and outrage amongst social media users that it was removed within hours. The clip still in circulation is believed to have been filmed on a mobile phone screen.
Horrified viewers initially reported the clip to the West Sussex-based Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) on their Twitter page.
But today the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) confirmed the case had been referred to them to investigate.
The RSPCA Twitter page responded to the original clip, writing: “This is very concerning, thanks for flagging. If you have any additional information regarding this, please call us.”
Dozens of other Twitter users left messages too including @mirandasuucks, who said: “Wow, funny, haha, god one, really not terrible and disgusting at all. He giving cocaine to a hedgehog.”
@kateroarty wrote: “Just seen a video of someone giving a hedgehog coke. Why? So cruel.”
@E.lav1967 said: “Have seen some weird stuff on the internet but a lad feeding coke to a hedgehog takes the top spot.”
And @glenspringhall tweeted the original poster writing: “How is that even slightly f**king funny? Who ever did that’s a f**king knob.”
While many viewers have been left horrified by the footage, others have made sick jokes comparing the poor animal to Sonic the Hedgehog.
@SeanMon98 posted a GIF of Sonic dancing with the caption: “Seen the wee c**t up the dancing later. Musta been some good sh**.”
Ketamine is a horse tranquilliser being used by hundreds of thousands of Brits to get a high.
It is known to reduce sensations in the body, gives takers a floating or detached feeling and can cause a loss of feeling in the body and paralysis of the muscles.
It has been linked to having a near-death experience and is sometimes called “entering the k-hole”.
Ketamine users can “trip” for between half and hour to several hours but after-effects may be felt for some hours afterwards.
The drug is reported to cause confusion, agitation, panic attacks, and impairment in short and long term memory and frequent use has been associated with the development of depression.
A Scottish SPCA Undercover Inspector said, “We can confirm that we have received reports regarding a video depicting a hedgehog allegedly being fed drugs.
“We are currently investigating the matter and will work closely with Police Scotland.
“This kind of behaviour is reckless and could result in prosecution under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.”
