The RSPCA has issued a stark warning about the danger posed to wildlife by discarded litter after a gull had a fishing hook embedded above its eye.
The black backed gull was found by builders who were working near Station Road in Llanddulas, Abergele.
It had flown into a chimney stack before landing on the ground.
The builders cut the gull free from the fishing line and alerted the RSPCA, who had to put the bird down in order prevent further suffering caused by an infection.
RSPCA inspector Rachael Davies said: "This is another story which highlights the dangers posed to wildlife by carelessly discarded litter.
“Netting, fishing line and hooks are especially dangerous hazards.
“Annually, the RSPCA receives over 7,000 phone calls about litter-related incidents and our officers regularly rescue pets, farm and wild animals trapped or hurt by discarded litter.
“We would urge people to dispose of any waste responsibly.
“For example, take unwanted line or netting home and cut it into small pieces before putting it in a bin; wrap hooks in newspaper before putting in a bin.”
WILDLIFE centre volunteers were upset when an airgun yob shot a gull through its wing.
Emma Thomas of Prestatyn and her partner Dafydd Hughes, who lend their time to the Denbighshire Wildlife Centre in Bodelwyddan, spoke of their horror when the juvenile bird they rescued in Prestatyn had to be put down because of its injuries.
Emma said: “It was shot through it’s wing with an airgun and it was covered in blood. We knew it would never fly again.
“Seagulls get such a bad time really and it’s just not on. It worries me that there’s someone in the area doing that and that it could happen again. It could’ve been someone’s cat or another pet. It’s just totally barbaric.”
Emma said her partner was “very disturbed” at the scene, and upset when he found out the gull had not survived.
She said: “People can be so cruel. What kind of thoughts go through their mind to attack a defenceless animal like that?”
A POORLY seal pup has been rescued by the RSPCA after being found among sand dunes in Prestatyn.
The grey seal pup was found collapsed and shaking in the dunes near Shore Road, Gronant, last Friday by a concerned member of the public who alerted the authorities.
The seal was found to be underweight, with mucus around its nose and minor cuts and abrasions.
It is now in the care of the seal rescue centre at the Welsh Mountain Zoo in Colwyn Bay for care and assessment.
RSPCA inspector Ann Lloyd-Williams said: “It may be that the seal was abandoned due to disturbance by humans or dogs or lost due to bad weather.
“However, young pups are often left alone, with the mother returning after a short trip out to sea, and all pups are deserted by the time they are weaned at about three weeks old.
“If you find a seal pup that looks fit and healthy and it shows no signs of distress, you may consider monitoring it from a safe distance for 24 hours.
“If the mother does not return within 24 hours or if a seal pup is sick, thin or injured, we would ask you to contact our 24-hour cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999.”