[EspeonBB]

Seagulls killed a pet tortoise in Cornwall, according to its owners who have given the latest report of an attack in the South West.
Jan Byrne, 43, from Liskeard, said the birds swooped on tortoise Stig who died two days later from his injuries.
"They turned him over and were pecking at him. We were devastated," said Mrs Byrne.

Stig's brother George avoided the attack and a pet rabbit, Petal, was protected by being in her run, said Mrs Byrne.
"There are seagulls around here all the time, I assume they are attracted by rubbish.
"But now I'm also concerned about more attacks so I can't let George out to roam any more."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-33547126

Seagulls have attacked and killed a dog, leaving a sight "like a murder scene", the pet's owner has said.
Emily Vincent, 36, said her Yorkshire terrier Roo was swooped on in her garden in Newquay, Cornwall.
She said the attack was witnessed by her three-year-old and she now fears the birds, which have nested on her roof, may attack one of her children.

Ms Vincent said she was upstairs when the 2lb (1kg) dog went out through the open back door and she came down to discover him badly wounded with what looked pecking marks on his head.
"It was like a murder scene - he was on his side in a pool of blood," she said.

Ms Vincent said the seagulls often come down "and steal the dog's food".
She said she had contacted Cornwall Council asking what could be done to remove the seagulls but was told the birds cannot be destroyed as they are a protected species.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-33534181

Nikki Wayne, 57, found her chihuahua puppy Bella being attacked by the angry birds in her back garden.

She had previously witnessed the gulls dive for Bella and had tried to never let the dog play outside alone.

But tragedy struck when her owner was in the shower and Bella managed to nudge open a slightly ajar door and was killed by the seagulls.

She said she first noticed the seagulls perched on the roof, peering into the garden at the tiny dog and decided to seek advice.

She said: "I called my vets and they said I should make sure I go out with her every moment she went outside in my back yard."

In an effort to protect Bella, Nikki would accompany her outside, and was surprised by the brazen nature of the gulls.

She said: "I got really worried about it. They started to swoop down to my face level, brushing me."

Determined to keep Bella safe, Nikki would not let the dog outside without an escort, and tried to keep the door shut.

However one day when Nikki was taking a shower the door was left ajar, and curious Bella managed to nudge the door open to go play outside.

The seagulls then swooped on Bella, and killed her before she could make it back inside the house.

Read more: http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.u...#ixzz3gTa98WeL
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A bit of a mess

[Shaun]

Wipe them all out. Vermin.

[Moosething]

I thought this was going to be a daily star article

[Z]

I have NO idea why these creatures are a protected species. They're everywhere, they're getting bigger and meaner and will never leave the cities because it's easier to scavenge our rubbish than it is to go hunt on the open water. They should be culled and immediately - all these people getting riled up about hunting foxes would be national heroes if they were hunting seagulls instead.

[Gstar]

If a seagull ever tried to attack my dog/cat I would break it's ****ing neck

[Tom4784]

It's ridiculous that they're a protected species, they are vicious flying rats and their population should be controlled.