Yorkshire Skunk
On-the-run skunk Pepe caught out
Time is up for a pesky skunk which has been caught by the RSPCA in
West Yorkshire after kicking up a stink for six months on the run.
Dozens of calls had been made to the animal charity from people in
Todmorden who had spotted the crafty creature.
Named Pepe Le Pew after the Warner Bros cartoon character, he was
captured on Friday after a tip-off call that he had been seen on
Joshua Street.
The RSPCA is now appealing to anyone who may be missing a skunk.
RSPCA inspector Alison Wilkinson said Pepe had set up home amongst
some rubbish.
Although it is thought Pepe's main scent glands have been removed, she
said he did not give up without a fight.
"It took nearly an hour to grasp him. He was hissing and spitting,"
she said.
Keeping a skunk is legal in the UK, but the RSPCA said the animals had
very specific needs which made them difficult to care for.
"He's either escaped or been abandoned," said Ms Wilkinson.
"We haven't had any reports of anyone missing one in the area, which
does tend to point to the latter, but we are obviously keen to hear
from anyone who thinks he might belong to them."
Pepe is currently being cared for at the RSPCA Bradford Animal Centre,
but will be taken to a skunk specialist in Hemel Hempstead.
BBC News: 3rd July 2008
