New Zealander William Singalargh,

27, is accused of throwing the small mammal at a 15-year-old boy during an altercation in February.

Police said he hurled the hedgehog about 5m (16ft) at the teenager.

“It hit the victim in the leg, causing a large, red welt and several puncture marks,”

said Senior Sgt Bruce Jenkins, in the North Island town of Whakatane.

It was unclear whether the hedgehog was still alive when it was thrown,

though it was dead when collected as evidence.

Sgt Jenkins said the suspect was arrested

“for assault with a weapon, namely the hedgehog.”

Mr Singalargh is due to appear in court on 17 April.

If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.

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