A BAG of hay bought for cute and cuddly pets turned into a prickly encounter for their owner.

A BAG of hay bought for cute and cuddly pets turned into a prickly encounter for their owner.

Marlene Dean, of Chelsworth Avenue, Ipswich, was left shocked after she delved into a bag of hay and found a dead hedgehog.

The bag, which had been bought from the Pets at Home store in Ranelagh Road, was intended for Mrs Dean's giant rabbit and guinea pig.

Little did Mrs Dean know what was in store when she put her hand in the freshly opened bag and felt a spike.

The 60-year-old said: “I put my hand in and felt something sharp. I thought it was a dried thistle. Although there was an odd smell, I did not know where it was coming from.

“The next time I pulled out some hay I got a spike stuck in my finger. On opening the bag further I realised it was a dead hedgehog.

“It must have been having a snooze when the hale baler arrived.

“I think it is one of those things. It makes you think that you never know what you are going to find.”

It hasn't put Mrs Dean off buying hay at the store as she claims it could have happened anywhere.

Hedgehogs are often found in hay bales as that is one of their preferred natural habitats.

Pets at Home said it sells a number of bags of hay from different suppliers.

A spokesman for the company said: “Bedding hay is grown and gathered from field on carefully selected local farms that encourage natural habitat for wildlife.

“While every care is taken by our suppliers, it is possible for a small field dwelling animal to enter the hay production process and we regret any distress this may have caused.”

Have you found an animal in a strange place? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.