Cornwall squirrel ‘pack’ assaults boy, three

Finlay's hand Symbol caption A squirrel from the group charged out of a hedge and sank its tooth into Finlay’s hand five times

a 3-year-antique boy used to be left pouring with blood while he was attacked by means of a “pack” of squirrels as he fed them.

The animals pounced and bit Finlay Renouf 5 occasions at a country park in Cornwall, his mother Sophie, stated.

“All of a surprising six of them got here at him. I Have never heard this sort of center-rending scream. there has been blood dripping far and wide,” she stated.

Cornwall Council mentioned it is going to put up indicators approximately feeding animals “if this turns into a standard problem”.

More on the squirrels attack, plus more Devon and Cornwall news

Image caption Sophie Renouf and Finlay regularly feed the squirrels

Keep assistant Ms Renouf, 22, from Pool, said she have been to Tehidy U . S . A . Park several occasions earlier than and fed the squirrels with Finlay.

“He was feeding them as normal with nuts. i would not permit him feed them if i believed there has been any danger,” she mentioned.

“One squirrel got here up after which all of a unexpected six of them came out of the hedge.

“one in every of them bit him on the hand 5 instances.

“there has been blood pouring out of his hand and down his legs, it was all over the place him.”

RSPCA squirrel recommendation

“many of us enjoy seeing grey squirrels whilst out within the nation-state they usually may also be correctly noticed from an affordable distance. Squirrel feeders can be found to shop for or make for individuals who want to feed squirrels of their garden.

“we’d by no means recommend any adult or kid hand feed any wild animal as they may be able to be unpredictable.

“This will need to have been very provoking, however fortunately those incidents are extraordinarily uncommon.”

As she went to help Finlay, one squirrel tried to climb up her, she stated.

She rushed Finlay to local Barncoose Health Center minor injuries unit however he used to be transferred to Cornwall’s primary hospital, Treliske, close to Truro.

He is now recuperating with bandages on his fingers.

“Nothing like this has happened to us there ahead of,” Ms Renouf said.

Image copyright Jill Y Nightingale Symbol caption Cornwall Council mentioned it doesn’t inspire or recommend folks to feed squirrels at Tehidy

“It’s A caution to others.”

Cornwall Council mentioned it was “sorry to listen to in regards to the incident”.

A spokesman said: “many of us talk over with Tehidy U . S . A . Park to peer the squirrels so they are fairly used to folks being round and unafraid to approach if they assume food could be available.”

“However, they’re wild animals which can be naturally in a position to discovering their own meals and we don’t encourage or suggest people to feed them or any of the wild birds at Tehidy.”

according to several entries on Shuttle Consultant, Tehidy is an excellent position to feed squirrels.

One customer wrote: “this is a gorgeous tranquil place that is large and nice for exploring with or with out the youngsters. It additionally has very friendly gray squirrels, huge swans and wonderful flora and fauna.”

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