Is that a Gull-den Retriever? Bizarre moment man is spotted taking a SEAGULL for a walk on a lead in Blackpool – before police swoop and arrest him
Police are investigating after a man was filmed pulling a live seagull along the pavement with a leash around its neck.
The ‘severely unwell’ seagull was taken to a vet after the incident in Blackpool earlier this week, but it sadly had to be put down.
Lancashire Police were called to reports that a man was pulling a live seagull along the pavement with a rope around its neck on Bispham Road at about 8pm on Monday, April 10.
Officers attended and the man, in his 50s, was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. He was subsequently de-arrested and the police said the matter is still being investigated.
The video has been slammed by Brambles Wildlife Rescue and the RSPCA.
Police are investigating after a man was seen dragging a seagull around on leash in Blackpool. The bird has since been put down
Officers arrested then subsequently de-arrested a man, in his 50s, the police said the matter is still being investigated
A Brambles Wildlife Rescue spokesperson called the man an ‘extremely vile person’ and said: ‘They [police] have telephoned today with an update to say a passerby secured the gull off him, it was taken to a vet and was sadly put to sleep.
‘We would add that it did look severely unwell and we cannot know if it could have recovered.’
‘Our lovely vet once said to us that she thought that people are often against seagulls because they are successful. This is sadly often the case with the human pecking order. Well we love seagulls here!
‘Goodnight little gull, may the next world be much kinder.’
The RSCPA said: ‘This is a distressing sight and we are very concerned for this gull’s welfare. It is totally inappropriate and unacceptable to treat any wild animal in this way.
‘Putting a gull on a leash would be extremely stressful for the bird as it would prevent it from being able to engage in its natural behaviour and could lead to injury or even death.’
A police spokesperson said: ‘We were called at about 8pm on Monday (April 10) to a report of a man pulling a live seagull along the pavement with a rope around its neck on Bispham Road.
‘Officers attended and the man, in his 50s, was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and though subsequently de-arrested, the matter is still being investigated.
‘The bird was taken by a member of the public to a local vet where they decided it sadly had to be put down.’
