The Huntington County Prosecutor’s Office is reviewing an exotic pet breeder following concerns raised by PETA and a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) investigation. The probe focuses on the conditions at Willow’s Prickle, a hedgehog breeding facility in Huntington, Indiana.
USDA Report Highlights Unsanitary Conditions
A USDA inspection on February 10 revealed concerning conditions at Willow’s Prickle, operated by Raegan Graft. The report detailed waste-filled enclosures and severe neglect of basic cleanliness standards.
- Hedgehogs were housed in enclosures with exercise wheels caked in feces.
- A facility representative admitted the wheels had not been cleaned since “possibly October.”
- The inspection noted a “large accumulation of feces in the litter boxes,” leaving the hedgehogs with no clean area to avoid contamination.
These findings led to concerns about animal welfare and compliance with federal regulations.
PETA Calls for Criminal Investigation
Following the USDA report, PETA sent a formal letter to Huntington County Prosecuting Attorney Jeremy Nix, urging him to pursue a criminal investigation. The animal rights organization expressed outrage over the conditions at Willow’s Prickle.
“Hedgehogs were kept in deplorable conditions at Willow’s Prickle, where their accumulated waste was apparently ignored for months,” said Daniel Paden, Vice President of Legal Advocacy for PETA. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation on behalf of these animals and urges everyone to refrain from buying any animal from a breeder or pet store.”
The group also emphasized that hedgehogs are solitary, nocturnal animals that naturally avoid human interaction, further questioning the ethics of breeding them for commercial sale.
Prosecutor’s Office Reviewing the Case
Huntington County Prosecuting Attorney Jeremy Nix confirmed that his office received PETA’s letter and has initiated a review.
“The matter is currently under investigation,” Nix stated in response to media inquiries. No further details have been released regarding potential charges or enforcement actions.
Breeder’s Response Pending
21Alive News reached out to representatives from Willow’s Prickle for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
The USDA has not yet disclosed whether additional inspections or penalties will be imposed on the facility.
