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The South West's seagull menace

There has been an explosion in the seagull population this summer - with increasing reports of birds grabbing food from people's hands and attacking pets and even people.

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Cornwall Council urge people not to feed seagulls or leave litter out

Cornwall Council are urging people not to feed the gulls. Credit: Wayne Parry

Cornwall Council are encouraging residents to play their part to prevent seagulls from attacking people and pets.

They say everyone can play a part in solving the problem by disposing of litter carefully, not feeding the gulls and putting rubbish out for collection in a seagull proof sack.

With incidents of gulls swooping down on people as they eat and attacks on individuals and animals, concerns have been raised about how to tackle the problem.

At this time of year herring gulls are feeding and protecting their young and will aggressively seek out food by any means possible.

Unfortunately, by feeding the birds, leaving rubbish bags out for collection unsecured and dropping litter in the street, humans have made it easy for them and this is one of the main reasons we are experiencing the problems we are having today.

If we are serious about tackling this issue then the solution starts with us all. Please dispose of your litter carefully, don't feed the gulls and either put rubbish out for collection in a bin or seagull proof sack.

– Councillor Geoff Brown

RSPB call on government to hold National Gull Summit

It's thought the gulls are behaving aggressively because they are trying to protect their young. Credit: ITV News

RSPB have written to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) proposing a National Gull Summit to tackle the issue.

The news comes after David Cameron recently said a "big conversation" was needed about the threat from aggressive birds.

The Prime Minister spoke out after two attacks in Cornwall left a pet tortoise and a Yorkshire terrier dead.

But the RSPB believe the summit must also look at the wider issues of the plight facing many of these birds:

Any such conversation must be based on the very best evidence – otherwise it’s likely to be dominated by anecdote and guided by those who shout loudest. The RSPB would also add that it should look at the issue in the ‘round; on the wider issue of the plight of these birds across the board and not simply about “how we rid ourselves of the menace”.

There’s so much we need to learn about these birds, and this is a real opportunity to look at how we can live comfortably with our wild companions, and do the best for both birds and people.

– RSPB

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Seagull kills dog in Cornwall

Roo the Yorkshire terrier was killed by a seagull Credit: Emily Vincent

A dog has been killed by a seagull in Cornwall. Roo the Yorkshire terrier was attacked in the garden of his owner's home at St Columb Minor near Newquay.

The bird swooped down from the roof and pecked at tiny Roo's head. He was later put down after a vet decided he could not survive his wounds. Roo's owner Emily Vincent now fears for the safety of her two other dogs.

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