RSPCA seek information after Gull is shot in Wisbech
The charity is appealing for witnesses after an injured gull was discovered in a Wisbech garden
The RSPCA is appealing for information following the discovery of a gull that had been shot with an air gun in Wisbech. The adult male lesser black-backed gull was observed falling from the sky and landing in the garden of a residence on Sherwood Avenue on 17 July.
A concerned homeowner reported the incident to the RSPCA, prompting Animal Rescue Officer John Woods to attend the scene. The gull was subsequently taken to the RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Hospital near King’s Lynn.
The bird was examined by a vet, and an x-ray revealed a pellet lodged in its shoulder. Surgery was performed to remove the pellet; however, the prognosis remains uncertain.
John Woods stated, “I am grateful to the members of the public for reporting this to us so that we were able to rescue the poor gull. When I found him in the garden he had blood on his chest and would clearly have been in a lot of pain. The witness said they saw the bird fall from the sky and sadly thought he might have been shot as they mentioned another recent incident involving a bird in suspicious circumstances.”
John Woods further noted, “I am grateful to my colleagues at East Winch who are doing all they can to care for this poor bird but at the moment it is not known if he will recover - given what he has been through.”
Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, all wild birds are protected, and it is illegal, except under licence, to take, injure, or kill them.
The RSPCA is urging anyone with information to come forward, particularly if they observed or heard anything unusual around Sherwood Avenue on 17 July. Individuals with relevant information can contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line at 0300 123 8018, quoting incident number 01308335.
The RSPCA anticipates an increase in animal cruelty reports during the summer and has launched its summer appeal to support its frontline officers. John Woods commented, “It is always very distressing to think that people may be taking pleasure in causing such horrific injuries to defenceless animals. We want to see a world where every kind of animal is treated with compassion and respect and deliberate and brutal acts of cruelty should be consigned to the past.”
He added, “We continue to call for tighter controls on air weapons. This, along with better education and explanation of the law when purchasing an air gun, and mandatory basic safety training before purchase, could help alleviate the problem.”