Cull debate is sparked by divebombing birds (From Worcester News)

Cull debate is sparked by divebombing birds

1:50pm Sunday 21st June 2009 in News By James Connell

SEAGULLS who divebomb people to protect their young have sparked a debate about whether they should be culled.

Calls for them to be culled appeared on the Worcester News website after we ran a story about them swooping down on passers-by in Hylton Road, St John’s, Worcester.

We reported how the scenes resembled something from Alfred Hitchcock’s classic film The Birds as the gulls attempted to protect a chick that appeared to have fallen from the nest.

The youngster was spotted wandering about in a car park near the Worcester News offices.

BanjoLegs, of St John’s, Worcester, posted on worcesternews.co.uk: “Sounds like a good opportunity for a quick cull.

“More should be done to eradicate these vile creatures.”

Molecat, of Worcester, said: “It’s time to rid Worcester of these nasty critters.

“As the council have failed to act we should take the matter into our own hands and kill all the seagulls by throwing rocks at them.”

But animal lover MrStJohns, of St John’s, Worcester, said: “If we aren’t allowed to carry out your suggested action on the current government I don’t see why it should be carried out on innocent birds, they haven’t brought the country to its knees.”

Malvern, of Malvern, said: “If the general public (mostly snotty nosed kids) didn’t throw junk food all over the place then seagulls wouldn’t nest here and would return to the sea cliffs where they belong.”

Barney the Parrot, of Worcester, said: “Sorry but ‘natural’, ‘innocent’ etc doesn’t come into it.

“These birds are attacking people who are merely walking peacefully along. That makes the birds pests and pests should be eradicated.”

An RSPCA spokesman said it was not unusual at this time of year for seagull chicks to fall from the nest or for parents to be protective of their young.