Anger as children in Hailsham shoot at birds with catapults

Children firing catapults at seagulls in Hailsham are the latest in a long line of offenders mistreating birds, according to a wildlife charity.
Victim: Sadly, this badly wounded seagull later had to be put to sleepVictim: Sadly, this badly wounded seagull later had to be put to sleep
Victim: Sadly, this badly wounded seagull later had to be put to sleep

Volunteers from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) say they saw young people throwing chips to entice the birds close enough to shoot at, with one so badly injured it had to be put down.

Chris Riddington, duty rescue co-ordinator for WRAS, attended the incident near Hailsham Parish Church and said, “The fact the children were throwing food to the poor bird makes it even more disturbing. This gull won’t be able to feed its babies tonight.”

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The animal rescue team said some members were in tears after the gull, which suffered serious blood loss and a large fracture, was put down at St Anne’s Veterinary Surgery in Eastbourne.

Trevor Weeks, founder of WRAS, said, “It is frightening to think this is the tip of the iceberg as other incidents will have gone unnoticed with birds left to die slowly, hidden away. There is no need for this at all, it is just cruelty.”

The wildlife charity has voiced concerns at the growing number of incidents involving unpleasant treatment of wildlife across the county, which have included stones being hurled at goslings, food thrown into the road causing birds to be hit by vehicles, and a dying gull dumped in a waste bin.

Chris continued, “To intentionally kill or injure a bird is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.”

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Since November 2016 there have been three reported incidents of bird cruelty involving catapults in Hailsham, according to WRAS. The latest incident was on Sunday. A youngster fired a catapult and hit the gull which crashed to the ground. It had suffered a broken wing. A witness contacted WRAS.

The charity is urging anyone who witnesses such an act of cruelty to contact Sussex Police, dialling 999 or 101.