5 gulls shot in East Sussex

Rescuers from a Sussex wildlife charity are issuing a warning to people across East Sussex to stop shooting birds after being called out to 5 birds in two weeks.

East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) has been called to five birds which veterinary examinations have revealed the birds to have been shot at...

Pointless
‘I wish I knew why these people are shooting them, it will be either purely for fun or because they don't want them nesting. But what these people don't realise is that shooting them will make no difference in the long term and the problem will continue, even in the short term another gull will just take its place’ said Trevor Weeks, founder of East Sussex WRAS.

‘If you don't want gulls nesting on your roof then the answer is to look long term and put in place humane items which will stop them from nesting or perching. Most reputable pest control companies are able to install devices which can prevent nest building. There are some cow-boys out there so ensure you use a company which is registered with the British Pest Control Association’ urged Trevor.

Currently all 5 gulls are in WRAS care under veterinary treatment as a result of these shooting incidents at its Casualty Care Unit at Horsebridge.

Sussex Police have been informed of all these incidents and they are taking the issue seriously. A trespasser or a person who shoots at birds in a public place will commit offences against the Firearms Act for having a gun and also against the law on protection of birds by killing, or even trying to kill, a wild bird, when he is not an authorised person. It is normally an offence to have any firearm in a public place, unless safely covered. Even if it is safely stowed any firearm other than an airgun, unless obviously for an innocent purpose, should reasonably be reported to the police. Anyone firing any weapon on or over a piece of land without the permission of the landowner is probably guilty of an offence and should certainly be reported to the police. Any unauthorised non-airgun should definitely be dealt with by the police. Weapons such as crossbows, bow and arrow, or even large catapults can be just as dangerous. If a person is behaving dangerously with any weapons, or seems likely to, call the police and tell them there is an armed person in a public place – they will be quick to help you deal with the situation.

Public Support
The public have really pulled behind a campaign to find the culprits of the shootings of several birds across East Sussex. Sussex Police and East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) have had numerous calls from the public concerned about the recent spate of shootings across East Sussex.

‘Thanks to media support many members of the public have become concerned that people are walking our streets with guns’ said Trevor Weeks, founder of East Sussex WRAS, ‘Sussex Police have phoned us and told us they are also having a number of people go into their Bexhill and Hastings stations as well as phoning too.’

East Sussex WRAS has spent over £750 in veterinary bills and more on running costs in order to respond to 6 shot birds across East Sussex. Out of these 6 birds, 1 has died, 3 are in care still and 2 are about to go free at the weekend at Bexhill and Langney.

Anyone wanting to help WRAS, who are funded entirely by donation, can visit their website www.wildlifeambulance.org or send a cheque or postal order payable to ‘East Sussex WRAS’ to the treasurer, Ash Cottage, 73 Friday Street, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN23 8AY.