Sea bird shootings are 'barbaric', charity says

Herring gulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

An animal rescue charity says three attacks on herring gulls with air rifles in West Sussex are "barbaric" acts.

The most recent casualties were found in Ferring and Worthing town centre.

Wadars animal rescue charity, based in Ferring, says it believes that more than one person has carried out the attacks.

Billy Elliott, senior animal rescue officer, said: “Not only is this disgusting act illegal, but it is also extremely cruel, especially at this time of year when the birds are having their young."

He said two of the three birds attacked in the last fortnight had to be put to sleep because of their injuries.

"They may well also have been sitting on chicks which will now more than likely starve to death,” he said.

“Like all wild birds, herring gulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and anyone found guilty of killing or harming one, or disturbing a nest, can be heavily fined and/or given a prison sentence.”

Worldwide, herring gull numbers have dramatically reduced over the past 50 years, and they are on the red list in the UK because they are in critical decline, a Wadars spokesperson said.

The charity has appealed for anyone with information on the attacks to contact Sussex Police.