Gull killed in "vicious" screwdriver attack
BIRD lovers in Cheltenham have been left horrified after a gull was skewered with a screwdriver in a vicious attack.
The lesser black-backed gull, believed to be less than a year old, was found outside McDonald's in Kingsditch Lane, paralysed, with the nine-inch tool imbedded in its spine.
-
CARE: The injured seagull is nursed after the attack. Top – an x-ray clearly showing the screwdriver across the bird's spine
Staff at the fast-food restaurant were sickened by the discovery and tried to nurse the bird until an RSPCA animal welfare officer arrived.
It was taken to the Vale Wildlife Hospital and Rehabilitation Centre, near Tewkesbury, for emergency treatment, but died after suffering extensive internal injuries.
RSPCA welfare officer Ben Jones said: "It was without doubt an intentional act – there is no way this could have happened by accident. I can't quite get my head around the fact someone could do something so nasty and vicious to a living creature.
"We are examining the CCTV footage and would ask anyone who might have seen something to come forward."
The screwdriver hit the spinal cord, leaving the bird paralysed and unable to fly.
Staff at the wildlife centre, which provides treatment for a variety of small animals, said it was one of the worst injuries they had ever seen.
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.
"Apart from the screwdriver it was a perfectly healthy bird. It was probably one of this year's young. The injuries caused an untold amount of spinal damage, and unfortunately it was unable to recover."
The lesser black-backed gull, which has a dark grey back and wings, yellow bill and yellow legs, has become increasingly common in towns across the region in recent years.
Last month Cheltenham residents complained about the level of noise gulls squawking causes, calling for nets and spikes to be put up to stop them from roosting on rooftops in the town.
Cheltenham gull expert Peter Rock said there had been an increase in people taking the law into their own hands to cull the birds.
He said: "Gulls are thriving in urban environments and that has caused increasing frustration from residents who don't know how to deal with them.
"More people are taking the law into their own hands, although not normally with a screwdriver, which is despicable.
"We need to find a way of dealing with the amount of gulls in towns and cities by putting more effort into researching their movements."
Gloucestershire police said the person responsible for the crime could face criminal proceedings if referred to them by the RSPCA.
Anyone who witnessed the attack on the gull, which took place between 5pm and 6pm on August 21, should call the RSPCA on 0300 123 999 quoting reference number 1477 of August 22.
OPINION, P8
13 Comments
View all
by Mrs Manners, Cheltenham
Friday, August 27 2010, 1:35PM
“I am sickened reading what some lowlife has done to this gull, I am not a sea gull lover as I live near Kingditch and they drive you mad with the noise but never would I imagine anyone could do such a cruel thing to a bird,, the gulls have got worse since KFC & Mcdonalds were erected here because of the litter, the council know this so why dont we see litter wardens in this area? people blatently throw their rubbish on the ground from their car windows, also try Mcdonalds drive through on a wet night and you will find water & bird droppings gushing from the guttering over the windows where they take your money & pass your food, not that I have tried it I might add because I wouldnt eat from one of these dirt boxes named fast food stores if I was paid a Kings ransome. I hope they catch who ever done this terrible thing to the bird also name & shame.”
by Marcia, Gloucester
Thursday, August 26 2010, 10:59PM
“If this person is caught, I hope they don't use the same excuse as the cat in the wheelie bin lady - "I thought it would be funny".
What is happening to people??”
by Observer, Cheltenham
Thursday, August 26 2010, 9:06PM
“I tend to think of gulls as flying rats, and approve of culling, but even so, this was a living creature with the ability to feel pain as profoundly as we do and what was done to it is unspeakably cruel.
It seems that rats are not confined to having wings, or running on four legs. Whoever did this has proved they can walk on two legs as well.”
by George, Chelt
Thursday, August 26 2010, 6:37PM
“To do something like this to another living creature is the pits. What must be going on in that tiny pea sized brain to want to plunge a screwdriver into a defenseless animal? The dude wants locking up before he does something similar to a member of the public.”
by ghiabelinda, glos docks
Thursday, August 26 2010, 4:34PM
“disgracefull behaviour from someone who has the audacity to call themselves a human being, i take it the bird was just not quite able to fly, so obviously done by a bully, hope the person does get caught, named and shamed too. tim i dont think its a case of them 'attacking people', just feeding and protecting their young. it happens every year, too much bad publicity about them doesnt help does it TIG.”
by BORDERLINE SILENCE FREAK., OUT OF TOWN
Thursday, August 26 2010, 1:39PM
“Gulls were circling round the perimeters of the land here, -- causing quite a lot of noise a few days back, -- but give me the noise of the gulls anyday to the constant noise of HGV's that are being driven around the nearby field, -- this noise has been constant for 3 months now, -- hellish!!
Universal law will take care of humans who attack defenceless animals, -- the person or persons that can do this to a harmless creature is already dead, -- no heart, -- therefore, -- no brain, -- but hopefully the police will get the perpetrater before the weapon used on the poor gull will be used on any one else.”
by EJ, Cheltenham
Thursday, August 26 2010, 1:22PM
“"you can see why people will start to take things into their own hands if the authorities don't do something about it."
Not really. I can't understand how anyone could do anything like this. Annoyed, yes. Annoyed enough to inflict unimaginable pain on an innocent creature - no.
It's not just "bird-lovers" who have been shocked by this, it is I would hope anyone with half a brain or conscience.”
by Sam, Cheltenham
Thursday, August 26 2010, 1:15PM
“The person that did this is the lowest piece of scum. I hope they get identified and get the beating they so deserve.”
by Philip, Hucclecote
Thursday, August 26 2010, 1:01PM
“Bearing in mind where this screwdriver must have been inserted into the bird, judging by the xray, I hope that the offender left fingerprints on the handle and can be traced.
It's not just the harm to the bird which worries me - it's the clear state of mind of the person who did it.”
by Tim, Gloucester
Thursday, August 26 2010, 12:59PM
“The main reason you can get close to the gulls is the fact that they are no longer scared of humans. They do like our rubbish chicken being a must (if you look on the roofs they are littered with chicken bones. The fast food industry is responsible for most of this type of waste and as such should be made to pay for the CULLING of seagulls. All businesses should also be reminded of their responsibilities with reference to litter produced by their customers. It won't be long before we start to get reports of injuries caused by gulls "Attacking" people for their food whilst trying to eat outside. The noise is a problem if you live in the city centre you will start to hear then squawking ALL night long so you can see why people will start to take things into their own hands if the authorities don't do something about it.
The person in this case if caught will probably use the defence of sleep deprivation caused directly by the gulls and indirectly by the lack of action by the relevant council.”