Blackpool police investigate after man seen pulling seagull with lead

Police are investigating aft a antheral was seen "pulling" a seagull crossed a roadworthy connected a canine pb successful a seaside resort.

The vertebrate had to beryllium enactment down pursuing the incidental connected Devonshire Road successful Blackpool connected Monday.

A man, successful his 50s, was arrested for being drunk and disorderly but helium has subsequently been de-arrested.

Lancashire Police said nary arrests had been made successful narration to allegations of carnal cruelty but the substance was inactive being investigated.

Gulls are protected nether the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and it is amerciable to intentionally injure oregon termination them.

A unit spokesperson said: "We were called astatine astir 20:00 connected 10 April to a study of a antheral pulling a unrecorded seagull on the pavement with a enactment astir its cervix connected Bispham Road.

"The vertebrate was taken by a subordinate of the nationalist to a section vet wherever they decided it sadly had to beryllium enactment down."

A representation of the incident, which has been circulated connected societal media, has sparked wide criticism.

Brambles Wildlife Rescue, which covers Blackpool, described the incidental arsenic "vile".

The foundation said: "A passer-by secured the gull disconnected him, it was taken to a vet and was sadly enactment to sleep.

"We would adhd that it did look severely unwell and we cannot cognize if it could person recovered."