Gulls knock over gran to steal her sandwich
A GRANDMOTHER said she was left in a “terrible state” after a seagull knocked her to the ground while trying to steal her Subway sandwich.
Hayley Selby was attacked by the bird while walking from the Subway store on Holton Road in Barry on Tuesday, June 21.
The 50-year-old, from Dobbins Road, Barry, who is registered blind, said the ordeal has left her “really frightened” and unable to eat outside the house.
She said: “I went to get a Subway. I’d already drank my coffee and I was just about to tuck into my sandwich – sausage and bacon. Six inch.
“I was walking up to the square and two seagulls just came down out of nowhere. One had my arm and the other one had my sandwich. “Two ladies came over to help me and sat me down on a chair. Luckily it was busy because it was market day. “Some police officers then came over to see if I was OK and they wanted to call an ambulance, but I said no. “I’m in a terrible state. I won’t ever eat outside the house again – especially not near the square. I’m really frightened. “I’ve got six grandchildren and I’d love to take them out – but I just can’t.
“It’s happening a lot recently. I know a little boy was attacked yesterday – had the sausage roll stolen right from underneath him. He was only four.
“Then a lady who was walking her dog was chased and bit on the leg.”
Mrs Selby said she thinks people feeding the seagulls or leaving unwanted food around could be the cause of the problem.
“I think people are leaving their food around too much and it’s attracting the seagulls,” she said.
“I’m very concerned about children and old people – someone is going to get hurt.”
Vale of Glamorgan council’s cabinet member for visible, leisure and regulatory services, Councillor Gwyn John, told the Barry and District News: “Feeding seagulls provides an additional food source and encourages more breeding pairs to nest in the area. It is then that we experience more instances of seagulls aggressively taking food. “We would urge visitors and residents not to feed the seagulls and to make sure that they responsibly dispose of food containers and rubbish in the litter bins provided. “As with Barry Island, the council will keep a close eye on the bird numbers in the town centre and the council’s waste and recycling team will provide additional information for residents on how to recycle sensibly and will also work closely with residents where there are any recycling concerns.”