A MAN who reportedly repeatedly punched a seagull in front of kids at a café has blamed the birds for not being well trained.
Charlie Righton has admitted hitting the bird as he tried to enjoy his lunch at the Harbour View Café in Porthleven, Cornwall.
Charlie Righton admits to ‘roughing up’ the seagull but denies breaking the bird’s wings or killing it Credit: Facebook
Mr Righton describes himself as an ‘animal lover’ Credit: Facebook
As the bird tried to steal his food, Mr Righton, who is thought to be from Truro, is said to have grabbed and punched it “in front of children” in what a witness described as a “brutal” attack.
Mr Righton is also said to have “stuffed the seagull through a fence”, the result of which, according to some bystanders, was that the seagull was left with broken wings.
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The incident is said to have happened by the harbour on July 13, according to the Devon and Cornwall Police, who are investigating.
Mr Righton has now taken to Facebook to defend his actions in a series of public posts.
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He said in his first post that “having root canal treatment I felt obliged to give the seagull that attempted to steal my food a little roughing up”.
However, he denied breaking the bird’s wings or killing it.
He wrote: “It’s unfortunate that our local council and ecologist’s (sic) haven’t done what is a simple thing and train the animals not to take food out of our mouths!
“My dog does not take from my table and neither should our gulls.
“I was actually protecting the food of B who has been vegetarian all her life to in her eighties who was kind enough to take me there. She fully supports my actions.
“The bird was not harmed or killed and flies around Porthleven again.”
He added: “I am actually an animal lover and believe that with the correct training all species can live in harmony.
“Businesses and humans need to take a stand and learn how to harmonise these creatures, understand them and teach them their place in our society as we all have ours.
“Sorry for any upset me actions have caused anyone.”
In another post, Mr Righton claimed that when the animal landed on his table it hit him in the mouth with its wing “causing intense pain in my face making my eyes water, my reaction was automatic”.
He added: “I didn’t even damage the animal. It was in shock and I guarantee that the gull won’t attack other diners at the harbour side cafe (sic) again (the food was delicious and staff warm and friendly) and just because some idiot tourists decided to further ruin the birds day by capturing it and taking it away from its home where it would have naturally recovered.
“Get a grip, find something useful to do with your day go plant a tree! Why not grow yourselves some food of your own and actually understand the animal cruelty behind your food that you choose to give to the seagulls.”
Many commentators though took issue with his posts.
One wrote: “No aggression towards any animal is acceptable and I’m sure you would have some strong words for me if I’d ‘roughed up’ your dog.”
While another said: “I’d love to see you train a seagull.”
A third person added: “Trained? A wild animal? Maybe we could train weaver fish not to sting, or pigeons not to coo!
“If you were in that much pain, why were you visiting a cafe? And people who saw your attack were very clear the bird was badly harmed.”
A fourth chipped in with a sarcastic response, posting: Ah yes, thank you for this eloquent manifesto on proportionate response and animal husbandry.
“What a relief to learn that you think the seagull can still fly around Porthleven, truly the bar for ‘not harming animals’ has never been set so low.
“And what touching dedication to vegetarian B and her chips, though I do wonder if she knew her lunch companion had recently become a martial arts enthusiast after dental work. Your dream of teaching all species ‘their place in society’ is admirable.”
Following the original report of the incident, a police spokesperson said: “We have been made aware following a report of a seagull being injured by a man by the harbour in Porthleven on the afternoon of Monday, July 13.
“It was reported the suspect grabbed and punched the seagull leaving it injured. Enquiries into the matter are ongoing.
“Anybody with any relevant footage or information is asked to call 101 or visit our website quoting 50260183379.”
All wild birds, gulls, their chicks and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, according to the RSPCA.
It is illegal to intentionally kill, take or injure gulls, take or destroy their eggs, or damage or destroy any gull nests while they’re in use or being built – unless you’re acting under licence.
The charity’s website states: “Although gulls are a common sight in many areas near the coast, some species of gull, such as herring gulls and kittiwakes, are actually on the UK Red List.
“They’re considered species of conservation concern in the UK because there’s evidence suggesting that their populations are in decline overall.”
