A Westcountry pensioner has become a prisoner in his own home after repeated attacks from a seagull.
Gerry Myers, 79, was left with head injuries after the latest encounter with the bird, which swoops on him whenever he leaves his house.
The widower was left with blood pouring down his face after the gull targeted him seconds after leaving his home in Truro.
But he was stunned when his local council told him they were powerless to act because seagulls, common in the city, are a protected species. The bird has also attacked Mr Myers' elderly neighbour, Doug Bishop, who received scalp wounds.
Mr Myers said he is now too afraid to go outside without the protection of a hat and stick to fend off the aggressive seagull that lives on his roof.
"I came through the front door to let my dog out and suddenly I was hit from behind on the head," he said.
"I didn't know what it was and then the blood just started pouring very quickly. I looked around and saw a seagull swooping and attempting to attack me again.
"It had gashed my head and I was bleeding profusely from the attack. It could have been my eyes."
After the assault Mr Myers contacted Cornwall Council to ask for help but was told that nothing could be done because the gulls are a protected species.
"I couldn't believe it," Mr Myers, who moved to Cornwall from Surrey 12 years ago, said.
"I am an animal lover and I can appreciate that pandas, tigers and bears have protected status because they are diminishing throughout the world. But seagulls?
"We have millions of them and they do so much damage to properties and people.
"I think it's terrible that no one can help me.'
Mr Myers has now resorted to 'dressing for battle' whenever he leaves home.
He said: "I won't go out without my hat and a stick in case the seagull attacks me again.
"The seagulls are so violent and look very threatening. I'm constantly on the look out for the birds.
"I'm just grateful it didn't attack my dog because they tend to attack animals and their eyes."
http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/news/pr ... ticle.html
Save the seagull!
Save the seagull!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Save the seagull!
Ha! Surely, the bird must have a reason?
One of my co-workers has a similar problem with the crows in the parking lot. I was biking out to the 7-11 for break and saw him standing staring into the trees...
'Wassup?' I asked.
'Oh hey," he answered, 'Look out for the crows, one just attacked me.'
Really? This was weird because the crows, while always raucous, had never bothered me. I'd even thrown them bread once or twice. Didn't make them friendly, but they weren't aggressive, I thought. He explained one had just raked his head, and pointed out where they were in the top branches. 'See?' He said, 'They have a little one.'
'I just threw a stone, to see if it would fly.'
[!!!?
]
'Pffff-ha! THAT'S why they're mad at you; for throwing rocks at their baby!'
Now, he can't go outside without watching the skies LOL
One of my co-workers has a similar problem with the crows in the parking lot. I was biking out to the 7-11 for break and saw him standing staring into the trees...
'Wassup?' I asked.
'Oh hey," he answered, 'Look out for the crows, one just attacked me.'
Really? This was weird because the crows, while always raucous, had never bothered me. I'd even thrown them bread once or twice. Didn't make them friendly, but they weren't aggressive, I thought. He explained one had just raked his head, and pointed out where they were in the top branches. 'See?' He said, 'They have a little one.'
'I just threw a stone, to see if it would fly.'
[!!!?
]'Pffff-ha! THAT'S why they're mad at you; for throwing rocks at their baby!'
Now, he can't go outside without watching the skies LOL
Last edited by loCAtek on Wed Jun 23, 2010 9:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Save the seagull!
It's magpies around here. They HATE my dog Barnum and attack him constantly, it's good exercise for him.
Most cyclists hereabout put cable ties on their helmets, like this below, to stop them getting a headfull of magpie.
A good tennis racquet would soon sort out that bloody seagull!
Most cyclists hereabout put cable ties on their helmets, like this below, to stop them getting a headfull of magpie.
A good tennis racquet would soon sort out that bloody seagull!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Save the seagull!
Alka Seltzer
Okay... There's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said.
Re: Save the seagull!
in white bread? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”