 The birds could have been tortured said the RSPCA |
Four young seagulls were subjected to a "horrendous" attack before they were drowned, the RSPCA in Devon has said. The birds, which are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act were found with their wings broken, eyes removed and beaks cut off.
The bodies of the birds were found at a yard at the back of the builders' merchants Jewsons in Torquay on Monday.
RSPCA spokeswoman Jo Barr said what had happened to the young birds was "absolutely horrendous".
She said equipment removed from the store in a burglary and left outside appeared to have been used to injure the juvenile birds, which were nesting on the roof.
A ladder had been used to get at the birds, which were juveniles and not capable of flight.
Police and the RSPCA have now appealed for information about the incident.
RSPCA inspector Pete Barton, said: "At best we are talking about someone who drowned these four young birds and then mutilated their bodies for amusement.
"At worst these creatures could well have been tortured and had their wings broken and beaks cut off whilst they were alive before being held down and drowned in a puddle."
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