Scarborough seagull snatches sausage roll straight from the mouth of a two year-old

A SCARBOROUGH woman has called out for action on the town's seagull infestation after an aggrerssive bird snatched a sausage roll from the mouth of her two-year-old.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th May 2016, 11:10 BST
Updated 25th May 2016, 12:13 BST
A seagull snatched a sausage roll from Harley Siddle-Haigh outside Scarborough's Iceland store while he was with mum PennyA seagull snatched a sausage roll from Harley Siddle-Haigh outside Scarborough's Iceland store while he was with mum Penny
A seagull snatched a sausage roll from Harley Siddle-Haigh outside Scarborough's Iceland store while he was with mum Penny

Penny Siddle shouted and kicked around a seagull which had swooped down and attacked her little boy, Harley Siddle-Haigh.

The concerned mother has now called for seagulls to be culled after the traumatic experience left her son shook up and in tears but unhurt.

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Mrs Siddle said: “It was really aggressive, really aggressive. Normally when you shoo at it leaves but this one was coming back for more. It went straight in his face.

A seagull snatched a sausage roll from Harley Siddle-Haigh outside Scarborough's Iceland store while he was with mum PennyA seagull snatched a sausage roll from Harley Siddle-Haigh outside Scarborough's Iceland store while he was with mum Penny
A seagull snatched a sausage roll from Harley Siddle-Haigh outside Scarborough's Iceland store while he was with mum Penny

“Luckily he was alright but he was shook up and he was scared. Being strapped in your pram and being attacked with a huge seagull grabbing it from his mouth.”

Mrs Siddle added: “I think they should start culling them again. If a dog bites or attacks a human they’re put down,” said Penny. “It’s the same difference.”

The incident happened outside Iceland, in Vernon Road, but this is not the only time her son has been attacked from above.

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“It swooped down last time but it wasn’t as aggressive it stole something out of his hand but this time it was his mouth. It was so close to his face.”

A seagull snatched a sausage roll from Harley Siddle-Haigh outside Scarborough's Iceland store while he was with mum PennyA seagull snatched a sausage roll from Harley Siddle-Haigh outside Scarborough's Iceland store while he was with mum Penny
A seagull snatched a sausage roll from Harley Siddle-Haigh outside Scarborough's Iceland store while he was with mum Penny

Scarborough councillor Andrew Jenkinson warned that someone could be seriously injured in attempt to flee from the gulls.

He spoke of his worry that one day a child may run out into the road and be hit by a car trying to escape the attack from above.

The council has spent £10,000 on 3,000 sacks to tackle the nusiance problem caused by seagulls.

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Residents took to Facebook to voice their opinions on the matter which divides the town.

With some suggesting we cull the “flying rats” while others have defended the gulls saying they have just as much of a right to be here. Terri Dixon commented: “The money would be better spent on tackling the root cause by culling the gulls.”

While Marie Jill Burns defended the birds saying: “We live in Scarborough,a seaside resort, where the birds and any other living creature have as much right as you do to live here.”

Scarborough Council has set up a new “Seagull Mugging and Nuisance Report”, and is making thicker plastic refuse bags available.

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The online system reports noise, muggings, fouling, carcasses and seek advice about gulls.

The council says it will be able to use this to get a clearer picture of the scale of the problem across the borough.

Related topics:ScarboroughResidentsIceland