Seagull Euthanized After Being Dragged Along Pavements by Drunken Man in England

After being dragged along the pavement in England by a drunk man, a seagull had to be euthanized.

A Drunken Man Drags Seagull

Police are looking into claims that a man was seen in Blackpool dragging a seagull across the road on what seemed to be a dog leash.

The incident happened on Monday, and pictures and videos of it were shared on social media. The Blackpool-based Brambles Wildlife Rescue service called the incident "vile."

According to the police, they received a call about a man forcibly pulling a live seagull along the sidewalk with a rope around its neck at 8 PM on Monday. The man, who was in his 50s, was detained after being arrested for being intoxicated and disorderly, but a spokesperson said the case was still being looked into.

A civilian brought the bird to a nearby veterinarian, who determined that it would sadly need to be put to death, according to The Gazette.

Protected Wildlife

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981 protects gulls and all other wild birds.

A spokesperson declared that treating any wild animal in this way is wholly inappropriate and unacceptable. A gull would experience extreme stress from being put on a leash because it wouldn't be able to engage in its natural behavior, which could result in harm or even death.

According to the legislation from 1981, unless you have a permit, it is illegal to intentionally harm, kill, or take gulls, take or endanger their eggs, or damage or deface any gull nests that are being built or used.

According to the RSPCA, the Animal Welfare Act of 2006 also protects gulls kept in captivity, which means their keepers are obligated to provide for their welfare and prevent needless suffering, The Guardian reports.

Gulls –Not Seagulls.

In the UK, many different gull species don't all live by the sea, which is why they are called gulls rather than seagulls.

Many gulls live inland for at least a good part of the year, even though they are typically found near the coast because they frequently roost in flocks. They typically search for food in grassy places like city parks, athletic fields, farms, and landfills.

Herring gulls, lesser black-backed gulls, and great black-backed gulls are three gull species in particular that have adjusted well to nesting or breeding in urban areas and frequently build their nests on roofs. Gulls frequently prefer urban areas due to fewer predators and an abundant supply of food there.

Gulls typically lay two or three eggs per year and breed from May to July. It is not strange to see gull chicks on the ground because they leave their nest when they're only a few days old and relocate to a "safe" location close by.

Even though gulls are frequently seen in areas close to the coast, the UK Red List lists some gull species, including the herring gull and the kittiwake. In the UK, they are regarded as species that require conservation attention due to evidence showing that their populations are generally declining, as per RSPCA data.