A man from Merseyside has been jailed after he repeatedly stamped on a gull, killing the animal.
Anthony Nurse, 31, was identified after the RSPCA was sent CCTV footage of the incident in Blackpool and issued an appeal for information to the public.
At a remote hearing at Preston Magistrates Court last Wednesday (19 November), Nurse, of Hurstlyn Road in Allerton, Liverpool, was jailed for six weeks after he had been arrested for unrelated offences.
He had pleaded guilty to one offence contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 at an earlier hearing.
The court was told footage captured Nurse kicking out at a group of gulls in Springfield Road, Blackpool on 17 December last year.
During the incident, one of the birds became trapped under his foot and the defendant was seen stamping on the animal’s body three times before walking off. The gull died as a result of the attack.
The CCTV was sent to the RSPCA and the charity appealed to the public for help. The man was later identified and interviewed about what had happened but denied being the culprit.
RSPCA Inspector Daniel Tomlinson, who collected the remains of the bird and investigated the case, said: “The footage of what happened to this poor gull was distressing to watch and we'd like to thank the person who got in touch with us and enabled this investigation to go forward.
“Sadly, gulls are one of the most victimised wild birds, and the RSPCA receives a report about deliberate or extreme cruelty to them every three days.
“We think it's important we promote understanding about these unique and fascinating birds, how they deserve our compassion and respect, and that there are serious conservation concerns about some species.
“We will continue to work to protect and prevent cruelty to all animals, including those which are less popular or misunderstood.”
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