Hastings Seagull Cruelty Perpetrator Dealt With By Police

Wednesday, 23 September 2020 20:55

By John Warburton @Warblefly

Seagulls on the Sussex Coast (at Bosham). Photo: © Rob Farrow / Creative Commons

Police say they've responded "firmly" in dealing with a man who bludgeoned and stamped a seagull to death, because he was annoyed by the bird stealing a sandwich.

Hastings Borough Council released information yesterday (September 23) about the police reaction as the local authority condemned the offender's actions.

The incident, which took place in Robertson Street, Hastings, in August, resulted in over 6,000 signatures on an online petition asking for action to be taken.

A police spokesperson explained:

"The man attended Battle police station on August 27 to complete a community resolution with a Sussex Police wildlife crime officer alongside an RSPCA officer.

"He was given firm advice and education around gulls being a protected species under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981."

A Hastings Borough Council spokesperson added:

"This was an horrendous incident. We know seagulls can be greedy, but they are protected, and it is completely unacceptable for someone to bludgeon a bird to death in this way.

"We value animal welfare, and indeed have our own animal welfare charter, and are very pleased that this incident has been taken seriously by the police."

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