Concerns have been raised in Borth-y-Gest about seagulls being shot at with air guns.

The first seagull that was brought to Marcin’s attention was taken away and put down by the RSPCA.

Marcin, who did not want to give his full name, told the Cambrian News about the recent incidents and how he is concerned.

He said: “I looked after two baby seagulls and nursed them back to health. They have since flown away.

“A lady came to me to say that she had found a seagull in her garden that couldn’t fly. I could see that there was blood on it. We called the RSPCA and an inspector came out and said it would need to be taken away and put to sleep, because there was too much damage.

“Four days later, two more seagulls were found injured. They had also been shot, but they were able to fly away. It’s very distressing. Someone local is doing this, it’s very sad.

“The inspector said that seagulls are highly protected. People think they are a nuisance but they do no harm.

“This is a definite concern, it has happened a lot in recent weeks. This kind of thing should not happen.

“I don’t think this was done by children or holiday makers, who brings an air gun on holiday?

“We should live with animals and accept them. They have been on the earth longer than we have. They have as much right to life as we do, we shouldn’t judge them.”

Deidre Burke, who also lives in the village, said: “A woman who looks after birds found a seagull in her garden. It had been hit with an air rifle.

“The RSPCA came and took it away but it needed to be put to sleep.

“Another two were found in the garden that had been shot but they had been able to fly away.

“Whoever is shooting the birds, it seems more likely to be someone local rather than a visitor.

“Someone is walking around taking pot shots at seagulls.

“The concern is that these shots are causing these animals to suffer. What if they start shooting other wildlife next? It’s very dangerous.”

Inspector Michael Pugh said: “The RSPCA was contacted on Wednesday, 21 July after a gull was found by a member of the public with an injured wing in the Porthmadog area.

“I attended and collected the poor gull and took the bird to the vets.

“An X-ray revealed that she had been shot by an air gun and had a pellet lodged inside her wing.

“Sadly, her injuries were too severe and it was decided that the kindest thing to do was to put her to sleep to end her suffering.

“Gulls, their eggs and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is illegal to intentionally kill, take or injure gulls except under licence.

“Intentionally shooting at a gull is very likely to constitute an offence, unless done under licence – and we’re reminding the person who undertook this barbaric act that they could be prosecuted.

“Shooting any animal with an air gun is a callous and cruel act and can cause fatal injuries, as was the case with this gull.

“We are therefore calling for tighter controls on air weapons.

“This, along with better education and explanation of the law when buying an air gun, and requirements that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop could help relieve the problem.”