Bloke batters seagulls in front of children at cafe and blames birds (Image: Facebook)
A man who allegedly battered a seagull in front of children said the birds need be trained and taught their place in society. Charlie Righton admitted hitting the bird at the Harbour View Café in Porthleven, Cornwall, defending his actions on the basis he had a painful root canal, so he felt obliged to give the seagull who attempted to steal his food “a little roughing up”.
Bystanders alleged that the man grabbed the bird and punched it “in front of children”, and then “stuffed the seagull through a fence”, which was thought to leave the bird with broken wings in a “brutal” attack, reports The Sun. The incident is said to have occurred on July 13, according to Devon and Cornwall Police, which is investigating.
Mr Righton, who is understood to be from Truro, defended his actions in a series of Facebook posts, stating that we need to teach the birds their place in society. He denied breaking the bird’s wings or killing it.
The first post said “having root canal treatment I felt obliged to give the seagull that attempted to steal my food a little roughing up”.
He continued: “It’s unfortunate that our local council and ecologist’s (sic) haven’t done what is a simple thing and train the animals not to take food out of our mouths!
“My dog does not take from my table and neither should our gulls. I was actually protecting the food of B who has been vegetarian all her life to in her eighties who was kind enough to take me there. She fully supports my actions.
“The bird was not harmed or killed and flies around Porthleven again. I am actually an animal lover and believe that with the correct training all species can live in harmony.
“Businesses and humans need to take a stand and learn how to harmonise these creatures, understand them and teach them their place in our society as we all have ours. Sorry for any upset me actions have caused anyone.”
In another post, Mr Righton claimed the animal hit him in the mouth with its wing when it landed on the table, causing “intense pain” that made his eyes water, so the reaction was “automatic”.
He added: “I didn’t even damage the animal. It was in shock and I guarantee that the gull won’t attack other diners at the harbour side cafe (sic) again (the food was delicious and staff warm and friendly) and just because some idiot tourists decided to further ruin the birds day by capturing it and taking it away from its home where it would have naturally recovered.
“Get a grip, find something useful to do with your day go plant a tree! Why not grow yourselves some food of your own and actually understand the animal cruelty behind your food that you choose to give to the seagulls.”
Many respondents were enraged by his posts, with one writing: “I’d love to see you train a seagull.”
A second said: “Trained? A wild animal? Maybe we could train weaver fish not to sting, or pigeons not to coo! If you were in that much pain, why were you visiting a cafe? And people who saw your attack were very clear the bird was badly harmed.”
Following the original report of the incident, a police spokesperson said: “We have been made aware following a report of a seagull being injured by a man by the harbour in Porthleven on the afternoon of Monday, July 13.
“It was reported the suspect grabbed and punched the seagull leaving it injured. Enquiries into the matter are ongoing. Anybody with any relevant footage or information is asked to call 101 or visit our website quoting 50260183379.”
The RSPCA states that all wild birds, gulls, their chicks and nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
It is illegal to intentionally kill, take or injure gulls, take or destroy their eggs, or damage or destroy any gull nests while they’re in use or being built, unless you’re acting under licence.