Shocking moment seagull is seen being walked on a LEAD – as cops launch animal cruelty probe

COPS have launched an animal cruelty probe after a seagull was seen being walked on a dog lead.

The bird had to be put down after it was taken for a walk in Blackpool on Monday.

A man in his fifties was arrested for being drunk and disorderly but was subsequently de-arrested.

It is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 to intentionally injure or kill a seagull.

Captive gulls are also protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which requires keepers to avoid causing them unnecessary suffering.

Lancashire Police said that no arrests have been made in relation to animal cruelty.

A spokesperson said: "We were called at about 20:00 on 10 April to a report of a man pulling a live seagull along the pavement with a rope around its neck on Bispham Road.

"The bird was taken by a member of the public to a local vet where they decided it sadly had to be put down."

The RSPCA told the BBC: "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."

Before the seagull's death was confirmed, local charity Brambles Wildlife Rescue said: "A passer-by 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."