Gull menace

I was disappointed and concerned by your ignorant dismissal of the issue of gull attacks. Far from being a ‘media panic’, this is a very real and frightening situation across Britain. The small number of reports referred to in your article “Gulls Behaving Badly” [ FT331:18-19] do nothing to reveal the true extent of the situation, with reports of attacks from as far north as Buckie in Scotland, one of which left a woman bleeding. I have witnessed attacks myself in Helensburgh. Gull attacks are far more widespread than just Cornwall and are getting worse. [Actually, besides Cornwall, FT reported incidents from Anglesey, Devon, Dorset, Liverpool, and County Kerry in Ireland – Editor.]

To dismiss the physical and psychological impact on people who have been attacked, witnessed attacks and suffered the violent and distressing deaths of beloved pets or indeed witnessed the deaths of other wild animals and birds as a result of gull attacks, is grossly inconsiderate. Why shouldn’t Mr Cameron consider the daily safety of UK residents as a pressing issue, not to mention the horrific deaths of beloved pets? (Of course we all know that animals other than humans rarely warrant consideration, when in reality they are just as important).

Unless the situation is dealt with, people will resort to taking steps themselves; some already have. While I do not condone poisoning, I do empathise with those whose lives are so affected that they see no other solution. (Certainly, until local authorities have the power to take steps to address the situation, there is no way for people to defend themselves).

I do agree that our wasteful ways have exacerbated the situation, but gulls are increasingly learning that there are no con-