A seagull is believed to have been shot through both wings in Barrow. 

The bird was spotted around 3pm on Monday with a wound in the same place on both wings. 

It is unknown exactly where the bird was injured however it was spotted at Chatsworth Street and Hartington Street. 

READ MORE: Barrow couple 'horrified' to see pigeon shot off a wall

Elisabeth Ashleigh, of Bardsea Bird Sanctuary, was notified about the bird and believes the placing of the wound is consistent with a bullet of some kind.

She said: "The woman who discovered the gull often feeds them and was horrified to discover the gull in her garden.

"We're yet to catch the bird but the same one was spotted a few hours later. There was a lot less blood so we think it's had a dip in the channel.

"It still needs to be treated however as it could have small broken bones or an infection could set in. I'm speaking to the lady later to see how we can go about getting it into the sanctuary."

 

At least four pigeons have been brought to Bardsea Bird Sanctuary in the last four months with gunshot wounds.

Last month, a couple were horrified when they witnessed a pigeon shot off a wall in Juno Street

Earlier in March, another appeared to come to a man's window 'for help' after it was shot in the crop on Ainslie Street.

Police also appealed for witnesses in November after suspecting a pigeon had been killed with an air rifle in the Ramsden Street area of Barrow.

Elisabeth said a resident around that area had witnessed several birds 'fall out of the sky' and thought it may be the same culprits.

"I've reported this latest incident to the police and these crimes need to be aired in the hopes that people will share information without fear of repercussion," she said.

"Who are these evil people who hate enough to kill? Many people utter the word 'hate' when referring to town gulls and pigeons in particular - they are purely displaying their ignorance, but those that actually kill or cause harm are showing far more serious symptoms - a killer's instinct.

"We need people to come forward."

A spokesperson for Cumbria police said: "There was a report of a seagull with an alleged shot wound.

"The incident is under investigation and anyone with information relating to this incident can report online at www.cumbria.police.uk/report-it , quoting incident number 228 of 8 April 2024. 

"You can also phone on 101. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."