Hedgehogs and hoglets killed after grass verge in Dorset village cut

The grass verge, which is near the entrance to the new Handley Cross development in Hazelbury Bryan, was cleared by a local countryside management contractor using a tractor and flail attachment after grass had ‘grown significantly’.

But resident Hazel Hedley discovered that remains of at least four adult hedgehogs had been discovered in the grass and hoglets were presumed dead.

Mrs Hedley, who is also hedgehog friend co-ordinator for Hedgehog Friendly Hazelbury Bryan, erected five ghost hedgehog profiles in memory of the dead mammals and mark where they had been ‘exterminated’ by human actions.

Ghost hedgehogs erected at grass verge in Hazelbury Bryan Dorset, where several animals had been killed by a mowing machine. Picture: Colin Varndell

AJC Group, the property developer who asked an external firm to carry out the grass cutting, expressed their ‘sincere apologies’ and explained they were not aware of hedgehogs in the area prior to the ‘unfortunately irreversible’ incident.

Susy Varndell, hedgehog leader for the Dorset Mammal Group, was approached by Mrs Hedley and visited the site with her.

Mrs Varndell, of Netherbury, said: “Clearly no checks were made before mowing commenced and as the verge in question is not on a roadside causing any danger to the public, it begs the question as to why it was necessary to be mown at all.

“Is this how we are going to conserve Dorset’s precious wildlife? I don’t think so.

Remains of dead hedgehog, killed by a grass mower in Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset. Picture: Colin Varndell

“We all need to take responsibility for our actions especially when we are driving a machine which can cause horrendous damage to either a wild animal, or indeed a human.”

Mrs Varndell and Mrs Hedley both fear that other injured adult hedgehog casualties may have moved away and could have died somewhere else.

Mrs Varndell added: “It was absolutely horrific and anything like this should not happen.

“If that happens in just one Dorset village, does it happen across Dorset and Britain?

“What hope is there for our native wildlife if this is happening?”

Ben Peddie, construction director at AJC Group, was left ‘deeply upset’ by what happened and disclosed a number of measures will be put in place to prevent this happening again.

The grass verge where a number of live hedgehogs were killed a mower in Hazelbury Bryan, Dorset. Picture: Colin Varndell

This includes an ecologist to supervise the demolition of the remaining agricultural buildings, create new hedgehog habitats within the new grassland areas being formed as part of the new development, hedgehog friendly fencing and regular conversations with workers to ensure they are fully aware of the local hedgehog population and avoid disruption or damage.

Mr Peddie said: “I have already spoken to one of the local residents regarding this incident and expressed our sincere apologies.

“The Countryside Management Contractor who carried out the works on our behalf also visited on Tuesday to review the incident and spoke with the same local resident.

“This incident is unfortunately irreversible, but we would like all the local residents of Hazelbury Bryan to accept our sincere apologies and acknowledge our efforts to promote the well-being of the local hedgehog population on and around the development going forwards and to prevent this from happening again."