Feral seagulls 'close to killing a human' as stark warning issued to tourists
A warning has been issued after a child was left with "blood running down her face" in flurry of horrific attacks from the flying gulls with politicians calling for more to be done
Feral seagulls are edging closer to killing a human, it's been claimed. n what is seen as the most alarming warning yet over the terrifying flying threats, a summit to deal with them is set to get off the ground.
Former Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, who previously called a debate on the issue at Holyrood, told Parliament humans risk being killed over the "growing problem" of kamikaze-diving seagulls.
The politician said: 'The strength of the cross-party support in my debate should be all the SNP government need to finally act before we see someone killed due to being attacked by a gull.'
Adding fuel to the flames, Tory Rachael Hamilton claimed "aggressive" seagulls had attacked seven children in just one month in Eyemouth last year.
She went on to highlight how one girl had gashes to her scalp and "blood running down her face" after a "divebombing attack," the Daily Star reports.
The MP added: 'Aggressive seagull behaviour continues to cause a real concern amongst businesses, amongst tourists, amongst everybody that has anything to do along the harbour.
'And it is not just a seasonal nuisance. It is a serious, growing health risk. It's a safety risk, particularly for children and elderly residents.'
The latest flap over gulls comes after the people of Moray in Scotland were dive-bombed by the birds.
In one case, an elderly woman broke her leg during a gull swoop. But other ministers are urging Brits to hug a gull.
MSP Jim Fairlie said a summit on tackling the scourge of demented seagulls should not 'demonise' the pests.
His fellow Nationalist MSP Christine Grahame added: 'Language such as 'mugging' and 'menace' can be applied to us, or our counterparts, but it is not appropriate to demonise an animal simply looking for food.
'What we mustn't have is people versus gulls, or gulls versus people.'
Highlands and Islands MSP Mr Ross said he has been 'inundated' with reports about the dangers of gulls from constituents.
They included a couple in the village of Hopeman who were 'worried about going out of their home' due to the aggressiveness of the birds.
Jeff Thornhill, a Moray pensioner, said he and his wife were 'dive-bombed' by gull on Monday morning while they were out for a stroll.
Among the other victims of the birds is terrified Caroline Mackay, who has lived in the coastal town of Nairn for almost 50 years.
She said: 'I know they are part of living beside the sea, and I accept that, but they are quite a danger.'
Lucy Harding from Nairn Business Improvement District said they had received 85 reports of gull attacks in the last year alone.
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Times
an hour ago
- Times
SNP's ‘student politicians' snub submarine welding centre
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Strong deterrence is required and vital to keep people safe in the future.' • Most Scots want to keep UK's nuclear deterrent, poll shows Britain is also engaged in highly sensitive talks to purchase fighter jets capable of firing tactical nuclear weapons, in a major expansion of the deterrent intended to counter the growing threat posed by Russia. The move would represent the biggest development in the UK's deterrent since the Cold War and a recognition that the world has entered a more dangerous nuclear era. Healey would not reveal where the new fighters would be based but the prospect of nuclear-armed jets being deployed from RAF Lossiemouth, or on manoeuvres at the air force's ancillary training and support bases in Scotland, will incense the SNP and its core anti-nuclear supporters. Mairi Gougeon, the Scottish rural affairs secretary, told the BBC that the welding centre was never eligible for funding thanks to the 'long-standing' policy of the SNP government. 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Times
an hour ago
- Times
SNP faces pressure to confront pacifists and embrace defence industry
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Wales Online
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