Wildlife advocates are urging dog owners across the UK to take extra care in their gardens after dark as shorter autumn days increase the risk of pets harming local hedgehogs.
With sunset arriving earlier, owners are more likely to let dogs out in low light or complete darkness, creating hazards for hedgehogs that are actively roaming and raising young hoglets.
Signs that hedgehogs are living in a yard include nocturnal snuffling sounds, dark droppings, shallow zigzagging tracks in topsoil, and small footprints.
Conservationists say simple precautions can prevent the animals from being trapped or injured.
Simple Steps to Keep Hedgehogs Safe
Experts advise keeping household waste bags off the ground and ensuring drains, bean trenches, and inspection pits remain tightly covered or fitted with escape ramps.
British Hedgehogs, an animal welfare charity, said: "Keep dogs under control if you know you have hedgehogs in the garden.
Also, remember that whilst your dog may be hedgehog-friendly, visitors' dogs may not."
The charity added: "If in doubt, keep your dog on a lead when it goes out into the garden after dark."
Property owners are also encouraged to secure sheds and garages overnight, store garden chemicals safely, and use environmentally safe preservatives on wooden structures.
British Hedgehogs said: "Keep bags used for putting out household rubbish off the ground. This will prevent hedgehogs reaching them and tearing the bag.
They can become trapped in the rubbish or even put out for refuse collection."
The charity also said: "Keep drains covered so that hedgehogs do not fall in and get stuck."
Creating 13-by-13-centimeter access holes in boundary fences allows hedgehogs to move freely between neighboring gardens to search for food without becoming trapped.
British Hedgehogs warned: "Bean trenches, footings, fencing holes and car inspection pits are all potential death traps for hedgehogs.
Provide an escape route, e.g. a sloping plank, or cover the holes so hedgehogs do not become trapped."
The charity added: "Keep shed, greenhouse and garage doors closed at night so that hedgehogs are not tempted to make a nest inside them, and potentially become trapped when doors are permanently closed.
Store chemicals safely."
Ensuring proper connectivity between outdoor spaces prevents animals from getting trapped in enclosed areas.
British Hedgehogs said: "When replacing or installing walls or fencing provide 13x13cm (5×5") square holes so that hedgehogs can pass from your garden into your neighbours' gardens without difficulty.
Only use environmentally safe wood preservatives on your fences, garden furniture and wooden buildings."
