Police investigate after man spotted with seagull on a lead in Blackpool
The man was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and the bird was later put down.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police are investigating after a man was seen walking down a street with a live seagull attached to a rope.
The bird had to be put down after it was rescued when police were called and arrested the man for being drunk and disorderly.
An investigation is still ongoing into the incident, at about 8pm on Monday in Blackpool, Lancs.
A statement from Lancashire Police 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 in Blackpool, Lancs.
The bird was taken by a member of the public to a local vet where they decided it sadly had to be put down
“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.”
A photo of the man with the seagull has been circulating on social media.
Brambles Wildlife Rescue, a local charity in Blackpool said it had to turn off and remove “moronic comments” from its Facebook page after sharing details of the incident.
In a statement on their Facebook page, the charity said: “A number of people contacted us about the image and video circulating on social media of an extremely vile person dragging a seagull on a lead at Bispham roundabout in Blackpool and in another location on the pavement.
“We have spoken with Lancashire Constabulary who are dealing with this and are aware of the identity and location of the person involved.
“They have telephoned today with an update to say a passer-by 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.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.