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Gunman targets seagulls
AN ANIMAL charity is appealing for witnesses after birds were shot in Pevensey Bay.
A herring gull was found in a garden in Timberlaine Road on December 22 after being shot three days earlier.
The bird's left wing is damaged and it is currently being cared for at an animal hospital with East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS).
The charity says a pigeon was shot dead in Timberlaine Road last month and a resident reported seeing a gull fall into the sea at Pevensey Bay.
Tim McKenzie, casualty care manager for WRAS, says a Pevensey Bay resident is shooting birds with a 2.2 air gun.
He said, "There is obviously somebody in the Grenville Road and Timberlaine Road area who is shooting them.
"It is illegal to shoot people's much-loved animals and illegal to shoot herring gulls, which are protected."
At the end of November the Herald reported that WRAS volunteers rescued a herring gull which was found with a shot wound in Innings Drive, Pevensey Bay.
A resident recently contacted the charity because the bird, which the family had named Sid, had been visiting her garden for nine years and often went fishing with her husband.
The woman identified the injured gull because it has no back claws. She told the Herald she was delighted to hear Sid was still alive and had missed feeding it in the garden.
Pevensey parish councillor, Cllr Bob Peasgood, said he was concerned about the shootings.
"Not only is it incredibly cruel that birds are being maimed but it also means someone in Pevensey Bay is using a 2.2 air gun in the area," he said.
In light of the more recent shootings WRAS is making a fresh appeal for witnesses and Mr McKenzie added, "Sticking a gun out of the window and shooting is not something you can do quietly and there must be someone who knows what is happening.
"People can contact us anonymously and give us the name of that person — we will then push for prosecution."
People found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to animals can face a six month jail term and/or a 20,000 fine.
"Killing or injuring wild birds carries a penalty of six months jail and/or a 5,000 fine.
Volunteers at WRAS ask anyone with information to call police on 0845 60 70 999, quoting reference 999 of November 29, or call WRAS on 07815078234.
ABOVE: Sid the seagull (and its young) get a meal in Pevensey Bay (C)
juliet.perry@trbeckett.co.uk
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Weather for Eastbourne
Saturday 04 February 2012
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