Surge in Illegal Herring Gull Shootings

An animal rescue charity has condemned recent attacks on herring gulls as illegal and barbaric, urging the public to help identify the culprits.

Wadars animal rescue charity reported three incidents of herring gulls being shot with air rifles in Ferring and Worthing town centre over the past two weeks. The charity described the attacks as “extremely cruel,” particularly during the breeding season when gulls are caring for their young. Two of the injured birds had to be euthanised due to the severity of their wounds.

Senior animal rescue officer Billy Elliott highlighted the legal protections for herring gulls under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which makes it an offence to harm or disturb these birds. Elliott expressed concern over the potential starvation of chicks left without parental care and called on the public to provide any information to Sussex Police to aid in identifying those responsible for the attacks.