Fine for keeping illegal hedgehog

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has welcomed the recent sentencing of a man for keeping an African pygmy hedgehog in captivity without a licence.

A 23 year-old Raymond Terrace man was convicted in Raymond Terrace Local Court last week, charged with keeping an animal belonging to a higher risk category without a licence under the Non-Indigenous Animals Act 1987.

A DPI investigation led to the animal's seizure in January 2013.

DPI Director Biosecurity Compliance, Dr Andrew Sanger, said the court had noted the seriousness of the offence and the dangers posed by unlawfully keeping animals of this kind.

"In entering a guilty plea, the man claimed that he had obtained the animal from a friend who found it thinking it was an echidna," Dr Sanger said.

"It was also stated in defence that while he knew it was an illegal import and it was illegal to keep such an animal he did not believe it was a threat.

"However the Magistrate did not accept this argument, stating that keeping such an animal was a serious threat to the agricultural industry and the environment as a disease carrier."

The African pygmy hedgehog is prohibited in Australia for a number of reasons including its potential to introduce exotic animal diseases and the species' ability to become a serious invasive pest in Australia.

"Hedgehogs also have the potential to seriously damage the Australian economy due to their propensity to harbour exotic animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease," Dr Sanger said.

"As a pest species they cause damage to native species including insects, snails, lizards and ground-nesting birds, particularly shore birds.

"Other endemic diseases carried by hedgehogs including Salmonella, Q fever and Toxoplasmosis, which can all be transmitted to humans."

The man received a $770 fine and criminal conviction as penalty for being in possession of the animal.

Further information on animal biosecurity is available at online

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