Animal charity offers £1,000 reward for Cheltenham gull killer
A LEADING animal charity is offering a £1,000 reward to catch the person who killed a gull in Cheltenham.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – Peta – says those who commit violent acts towards animals can end up committing further violence later in life.
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Who could be so cruel: The gull
It says serial killers such as Fred West and Moors murderer Ian Brady began their descent into crime by harming animals.
Suzanne Barnard, Peta spokeswoman, said: "Animal abusers are cowards who take out their problems on the most vulnerable victims."
Last week the Echo told how the gull had been found with a screwdriver lodged in its back in the car park of McDonald's restaurant in Kingsditch Lane. The lesser black-backed gull, believed to be less than a year old, was found paralysed with the nine-inch tool imbedded in its spine.
The animal was taken to the Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre near Tewkesbury for treatment but died after suffering extensive internal injuries.
James Horswell, casualty manager at the centre, said: "It was very distressing for staff, as it always is when we see animals who have been injured deliberately.
"Sadly some people think of gulls as a pest so do not treat them with the same respect as other animals. We have seen other deliberate injuries before but this is one of the worst."
Peta is offering up to £1,000 as a reward for information leading to the apprehension of the people responsible for this horrific crime.
Suzanne said: "Animal abusers are usually repeat offenders, which means other animals and even humans remain at risk until these criminals are apprehended.
"History shows serial rapists and murderers often have a history of cruelty to animals.
"Child killers Robert Thompson and Jon Venables as well as Ian Huntley, Fred West and Ian Brady all started on their violent paths by harming animals."
Of the Cheltenham incident, RSPCA welfare officer Ben Jones said: "It was without doubt intentional – there is no way this could have happened by accident.
"I can't get my head around the fact someone could do something so nasty and vicious to a living creature."
Last month people in Cheltenham complained about the level of noise from squawking gulls and called for nets and spikes to be put up to stop them from roosting on rooftops in the town.
Anyone with information about this case should call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.
18 Comments
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by Steve, Cheltenham
Sunday, September 05 2010, 8:21PM
“Mallard, I hope you wouldn't stab your neighbour with a screwdriver.
Seems odd that the perpetrator left the weapon behind. Firstly, it could have their prints on it, and secondly, they're now short of a screwdriver. Not the sharpest tool in the box, eh?”
by Me, Quedgeley
Sunday, September 05 2010, 5:44PM
“Ghiabelinda- how would the seagulls like it if I smeared my excrement all over their nests- like they do with my car? While I in no way condone the actions of the person who did this PETA definitely need some perspective on the situation. Seagulls are pests and need to be controlled as such. They are only here in such hugh numbers as a result of our behaviour and habits.
How people can preach on here about caring for animals when people abuse and injure other people? See the article on human trafficking for something worth arguing about...”
by Bird lover., Gloucestershire.
Sunday, September 05 2010, 12:20PM
“I meant the letter before mine.”
by Bird lover, Gloucestershire.
Sunday, September 05 2010, 12:17PM
“Wasn't there anyway fingerprints could have been taken from the screwdriver, with careful handling surely that could have been done, -- you can guarantee that the person who attacked the gull will be a known criminal.
This looks like a fledgling, new to finding it's own food.
I am of the impression it has been watched from the nest and targetted in this way, -- the first letter tells you the type of character that could do this.”
by murchy, Chelt
Sunday, September 05 2010, 2:41AM
“That's tight, cause they must of had hold of the bird and actually stab it.
Where I work this bloke comes round and shoots them with a air-rifle, but that's allowed, that's legal -”
by zala, gloucester
Saturday, September 04 2010, 7:23PM
“Some people are really sick and have a real problem with animals full stop, and it is not always who you think it is.
i was walking through town and a women in her 50;s kicked out at a baby gull and said dirty xxxxx and they should all burn to death i hate them, maybe it was her, rember karma sees all what comes around comes around.”
by ghiabelinda, the docks
Saturday, September 04 2010, 4:09PM
“hope the culprit gets named and shamed. you people who think its ok to harm this bird, wonder how you would feel with a screwdriver stuck in your back, bet you would soon want whoever did it brought to justice, as was previously said anyone who can harm an animal can go on to harm a child then where will that lead. you people who want to kill all life but human life, need a kick up the backside and begin to realise all life is precious not just yours.”
by Si, Cheltenham
Saturday, September 04 2010, 4:01PM
“I hope they catch the total idiot who done this. If people dont have anything else to worry about other than complain about noise and mess they make, then they must live a sad life.
I love animals incase you have not noticed.”
by dogsby, tewks
Saturday, September 04 2010, 3:33PM
“peta or seagulls i mean”
by dogsby, tewks
Saturday, September 04 2010, 3:33PM
“i don't like em.”