Gull dies after being shot with air rifle

A man shot a European Herring Gull before trying to kill another while the RSPCA attended the scene.

The wildlife charity is investigating after the first gull was shot in the neck with an air rifle. It was found injured in Wednesbury, West Midlands, on Tuesday 16 February.

A member of the public alerted the charity and animal rescuer officer Cara Gibbon rushed to the scene to collect the injured bird for veterinary treatment. But while she was there she heard another shot and saw another European Herring Gull targeted, although the pellet narrowly missed the bird.

The gull was shot through the head and neck (RSPCA).

She said she believed someone in the area was shooting at wildlife. The gull she rescued had pellet wounds to its wing and neck. She rushed it to the RSPCA's Birmingham Animal Hospital but a vet put it down to end its suffering.

Cara commented: "It seems clear that someone has decided to take shots at birds in this area sadly one bird was so badly injured he had to be put to sleep. It is so sad to think of how much he must have been suffering from the wounds.

"But as I was rescuing this bird I was shocked to hear another shot go off nearby, aimed at another gull flying in the sky. It is very concerning to think someone is carrying a weapon around in a public area and has deliberately targeted innocent animals like this by shooting at them. There may be other dead birds or injured birds around which have not been found.

"I am keen to find the person responsible and am appealing for anyone who can help my investigation to get in touch. Unfortunately, attacks like this are not as rare as we would like and wildlife are more susceptible to these incidents simply because they are out in the open with no one to protect them."