A seagull was "sadly put to sleep" after it was allegedly pulled around by a man on a dog lead. Concerned locals alerted the police after spotting the man allegedly walking with the bird on a rope at roughly 8pm on Monday on Bispham Road, Blackpool.
Officers attended and a man, in his 50s, was arrested for being drunk and disorderly. However, he was subsequently de-arrested, with authorities saying that the matter is being investigated.
Pictures and video clips of the man allegedly pulling the seagull along with a rope around its neck quickly went viral online, with many people expressing concern for the animal, Lancs Live reports.
A member of public later took the bird to a local vet, where the decision was made to put the gull to sleep. Brambles Wildlife Rescue said they were aware of the issue and have been in contact with police.
A spokesperson said: "A number of people contacted us about the image and video circulating on social media of a 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 passerby 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!"
The RSCPA said the incident would have been "extremely stressful" for the gull and described it as "totally inappropriate". A spokesperson said: "This is a distressing sight and we are very concerned for this gull’s welfare. It is totally inappropriate and unacceptable to treat any wild animal in this way.
"Putting a gull on a leash would be extremely stressful for the bird as it would prevent it from being able to engage in its natural behaviour and could lead to injury or even death"
A police spokesperson said: "We were called at about 8pm on Mondayto a report of a man pulling a live seagull along the pavement with a rope around its neck on Bispham Road.
"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."
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