A daring gull which swooped on an unsuspecting fish and chip customer was caught then brutally kicked to death.
The herring gull snatched his supper outside a fish and chip shop at Marine Parade in Barmouth, Wales at around 1pm on 4 August.
The bird was then attacked and kicked before later dying, the RSPCA has said.
The animal welfare charity has asked for help identifying a curly-haired man, about 5ft 10in (1.78m) and wearing a black jacket, who is of interest to the case.
They are asking for any witnesses to get in touch.
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Why do gulls steal food?
Gulls engage in a feeding tactic called kleptoparasitism – stealing food from others.
This happens most of all in coastal towns, where there are a large number of potential targets.
Researchers at the University of Essex have identified some of the key factors why gulls decide to snatch our meals.
- Predictable food availability – people often eat in the same locations at regular times. Most thefts take place between 12pm and 1pm during lunchtime.
- Location – long seafronts may lead to more thefts. This is because they allow gulls to get away more easily after stealing.
- Season – gulls thefts are more common in busy tourist periods, often visitors will spend more time eating in the open.
Gulls do not always get to the food they are targeting. Research shows they are successful 50% of the time.
Julia Dalgleish, RSPCA animal rescue officer, said: ‘Gulls and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is illegal to do anything that causes suffering to gulls.
‘Sadly, many people have an unfavourable opinion of gulls – but these are intelligent animals who form strong social bonds with.”
The attack comes after a baby seagull was found dead in Liverpool city centre on July 1.
The RSPCA said they received ‘distressing’ CCTV footage of a man who allegedly smashed a seagull’s head against a rubbish bin and threw it inside.
It is claimed the baby gull, which was unable to fly, was picked up from the pavement before being ‘hit with some force’.
The RSCPA are now looking to speak to a man in connection with the gull’s death.
The alleged attack took place after 8pm on July 1 in the Whitechapel area of Liverpool.
Louise Showering, an inspector for the RSPCA who is leading the investigation, said: ‘We’ve received upsetting footage of a juvenile gull, who was unable to fly, allegedly being picked up from the pavement and hit with some force against a bin in Liverpool. The bird was later retrieved from inside but had sadly died.’
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