Toddler takes on seagull in fight for her Greggs pasty

A TODDLER was attacked by a seagull that dived into her pushchair to steal her Greggs cheese pasty.

One-year-old Freya Yhia-raine had just begun eating the bake when the gull dived in and tried to take it from her mouth. The attack happened in South Shields, Co Durham.

Cathryn Raine, the child’s mother, said Freya refused to give in and tried to fight the bird for the pasty. But the struggle left her with a large bruise over her left ear, and she was taken to the doctor for a check-up.

Ms Raine says Freya is now terrified of birds and too scared to eat outside. She claims the area has a major problem with vicious gulls.

“Freya had no sense of fear,” she said. “She wouldn’t let her food go. I tried to grab it off her but she was holding on to it for dear life.

“She had it half in her mouth and the seagull was trying to pull it out. I’m not sure whether it was the wings or its beak that caused the bruising.

“At first I think she thought it was funny but then its wings started hitting her and she started to scream.

“She was petrified. People started to come over to see what was going on.”

Ms Raine said there was a problem with gulls in the area and claimed that others had been attacked by the birds.

She added: “I’ve known a few people who’ve gone to hospital after being pecked because it’s drawn blood.

“You can’t do anything about them. I live close to the seafront and it’s a big issue. They’re really bold and will take anything. They’re not bothered.”