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£1000 reward for Gull Cruelty in Hastings
2 August 2007
Wildlife Rescuers are issuing a £1000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for causing unnessary suffering to a gull in Hastings.
Sussex Police called out East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) after the bird was found inside a black bin liner which was tied up and dumped in a skip in Old Harrow Road, Hastings.
Tony Neads from East Sussex WRAS was on site within 30 minutes and collected the gull which was hot and in a distressed state. The bird was taken to Horsebridge Veterinary Practice to receive medical attention and a check over.
"This is an horrendous and deliberate attempt at causing unnecessary suffering to a gull," said Trevor Weeks, Rescue Co-ordinator for East Sussex WRAS.
WRAS rescuers are still currently dealing with the incident, and awaiting information on the birds condition from the vets. "This bird would have died an extremely slow. No living creature deserves to go through this type of deliberate suffering. Whoever did this is an extremely low and shallow person" said Maz Marriot, Duty Co-ordinator who took the initial call from Sussex Police this morning.
The bird will go to one of WRAS’s hospital units for treatment once assessed by the vet.
Anyone with information should contact Sussex Police and quote reference 643 of 2nd August 2007.
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Press Contact: Trevor Weeks, East Sussex WRAS, 07931 523958 (private).
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It is very easy to assume a bird has been abandoned when you find it on the ground, but quite often it is a fledgling learning to fly. When a fledgling takes its first flight it is going to be unsuccessful, it is natural for them to spend 2-3 days on the ground sometimes before they can fly properly. Mum and dad will normally be nearby but they do not always fly down to feed every few minutes as they are trying to encourage the youngster to fly. Both the youngster and the parents are good at hiding themselves.