Gull dies after pupils use it as 'football'

A European Herring Gull has died after being used "as a football" by college pupils, according to a wild bird charity.

The bird was given medication and pain relief by Foundation for Feathered Friends before later dying. The charity said the incident happened at Llandrillo College in Rhos on Sea, Conwy, and was witnessed by one of its volunteers – who is a pupil at the college – on 11 September.

The college said it was investigating the incident, which it described as "dreadful, deeply upsetting and unacceptable".

The herring gull later died due to its injuries (Foundation for Feathered Friends).

The witness reported a "group of youths using the gull as a football of sorts passing him between each other" and, after the volunteer attempted to intervene, one of the group threw the bird to the ground and "landed heavily on his side".

Foundation For Feathered Friends said the gull initially seemed unhurt but later died of suspected internal injuries.

In a statement on social media, Llandrillo College said: "We are extremely upset that college learners have behaved in this way and we will take disciplinary action against any learner involved."

A spokesperson for Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, which runs the college, said: "We thank the Foundation for Feathered Friends for bringing to our attention the dreadful, deeply upsetting and unacceptable incident at our Llandrillo Campus.

"We are undertaking an investigation and would ask any learner with information about the incident to contact the college. We do not condone or support animal cruelty and any learner involved in this type of activity will be disciplined and reported to the police."