Injured gulls in St Leonards ‘victims of cruelty’

Two gulls were found in St Leonards on Friday evening (August 14) and another one in Adams Close two days later.

Bexhill Wildlife Rescue was called following the grim discoveries.

Emma Macey, from the charity, said one of the three gulls, believed to be only six months old, appeared to have been gutted.

Chris Tucker, who runs the rescue service, said: “One gull had been stabbed with a screwdriver, one had its stomach slashed and the other one stabbed and kicked around.

“It’s disgusting. We’re getting more cruelty cases than ever before involving baby gulls.

“We’ve had 15 such cases so far this year.

“We believe all life is sacred and think incidents like this are all down to the bad publicity gulls are receiving in the national press.”

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said: “We are appealing for information after two young gulls were found with injuries in the Hewlett Close area of St Leonards on Friday, August 14.

“The gulls were already dead by the time we were called and vet examinations revealed that it was not obvious what caused the injuries, and whether they were deliberate or not, so we urge anyone with any information to call us on 0300 123 8018.

“Gulls have a particularly tough time of it and every year we see incidents when they are attacked, particularly in coastal areas like St Leonards.

“Deliberate cruelty is not only callous and unacceptable but it is also against the law.

“We urge people to be tolerant of the wildlife living around them, and remember that gulls are protected under law.

“We would ask members of the public not to copy these actions as it is an offence to injure or kill a wild bird under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and offenders can face a fine of up to £5,000 and/or six months imprisonment.”

Anyone with information should contact Chris Tucker at Bexhill Wildlife Rescue on 07837 858109.

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1) Make our website your homepage

2) Like our Facebook page

3) Follow us on Twitter

4) Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!

Always the first with your local news.

Be part of it.