A seagull has been discovered with a crossbow bolt impaled in its body following a “cruel” and “sick” attack.
The bird was spotted on Monday evening at Weymouth Beach in Dorset, with the potentially lethal object protruding from its chest.
The gull seemed unfazed by its predicament and flew off when worried members of the public tried to catch it.
Seagulls are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it an offence to intentionally injure or kill any gull, or to take, damage or destroy an active nest or its contents.
If found guilty, people can face an unlimited fine or up to six months in prison.
Ellie Hooper said that she noticed the gull after having dinner on the beach.
“As we were leaving I saw it sat on a bin by itself and noticed something was sticking out of it. It looked like a crossbow bolt,” the 23-year-old said.
“There was no blood around it, it didn’t look like a fresh injury.
“I’m a crazy vegan so immediately I was like ‘how do I help this poor animal?’ I can’t really believe somebody would actually do that.
“We googled some local rescues but none were open because it was 9pm. I was trying to phone people that might have any knowledge about what to do.
“The gull seemed quite tame. We sort of followed him around the beach for a bit, trying to catch him but then he flew off.”
The seagull has been seen by multiple people, with some reporting they believe it is the same one they spotted with an identical injury last August.
Animals in Need, an animal charity in Weymouth, tried to catch the bird last summer but were unable to.
People on social media have dubbed the hardy bird Steven, after action movie star Steven Seagal, and slammed the cruel attack.
Gaynor McGowan said: “It really concerned me last summer when I saw him. It was so sad to see that someone had apparently shot the poor thing with some kind of weapon.
“Some people can be so cruel. I’m just glad to see he seems to have recovered so well.”
Fred Bourke said: “I’m not a fan of seagulls but no animal deserves that.”
Shirley Longstaff added: “What’s the matter with sick people doing this? Beyond cruel.”
Jessie Gore said: “This is so unbelievably sad that anyone could do this to any animal. I know people don’t like gulls but there is never a need for such cruelty.”
Chris Reeves said: “That’s a bloody hard gull. Steer well clear and call him ‘sir’. If he asks, give him your chips, all of them!”
There have been manhunts launched for attacks on gulls in the past. In 2022 police were hunting for a man who attacked a seagull with a cricket bat at Lyme Regis.
Last summer the RSPCA launched a campaign calling on the public to be kind to seagulls and said they are one of the most victimised and misunderstood wild bird species.
Geoff Edmond, the RSPCA’s wildlife partnership manager, said: “Gulls are brilliant birds. They form lifelong bonds with their partners, they are attentive parents, they are intelligent, and are great at solving problems.
“Yet they are one of the most persecuted wild birds in this country.
“We receive a report about deliberate or extreme cruelty to a gull every three days.”
