Cat attacked by seagull on Whitehaven housing estate

Max, a 16-year-old cat, was lying in the sun in the garden of his owner’s home at Brayton Road in Bransty when the ordeal took place.

Becca Flett, who was at her mother’s house with her baby at the time, said: “We were sat out in the garden and there were seagulls nesting on the roof.

“I didn’t see exactly what happened because I was sitting round the corner with my baby – but I heard it.

“He was just laying there sunbathing when a seagull went down and attacked him.

“When it happened, he didn’t show any sign of injury but there was a lump there about a week later.”

Max developed an infection and a huge abscess on his back which had to be removed after three courses of antibiotics and a drain did not clear up the infection.

Max's injury became infected and he had to have a huge abscess removed from his back (Image: Submitted)

The injury to Max’s back was found to be ‘thin but very deep’ and was consistent with being caused by a seagull’s beak or claw.

Max has now made a full recovery after racking up a £700 vet bill.

Ms Flett said Max was lucky to survive and now wants more to be done to manage the seagull population in Whitehaven.

She said: “That could have been me or my baby. It could have got my baby. I’m quite glad we weren’t there.”

Max has now recovered from the ordeal (Image: Submitted)

Graham Roberts, a Whitehaven town councillor, said: “Seagulls used to get fed scraps from the fishing boats but the oceans are fished out and now seagulls are coming inland for food.

“It’s endemic that they will attack animals because they are scavengers. People shouldn’t feed them.

Councillor Graham Roberts has warned people not to feed the seagulls to deter them from nesting inland (Image: Archive)

“They are very protective this time of year because it’s the nesting season. I hope the cat is ok. Nobody wants to see their pet hurt.”

A spokesperson for Cumberland Council said: “Seagulls are a common feature of many seaside towns and are becoming increasingly common in urban settings due to the easy availability of food and nesting sites.

“It is illegal to capture, injure or destroy any wild bird, or interfere with its nest or eggs.

“Members of the public are strongly advised not to feed the seagulls as this will increase their population. Penalties could be issued against those who persistently cause a nuisance by feeding seagulls.

“If gulls start nesting on a roof, it is likely that more gulls will be attracted to nest on nearby properties. Where more and more properties have gull proofing measures in an area, there will be less chance for a gull colony to grow.

“Gull-proofing measures can include chimney guards, roof spikes, roof wires and nets. It is an offence to disturb an active nesting site and we are currently in nesting season (March to September).

Max, a 16-year-old cat, developed an infection after being attacked by a seagull while in his owner's garden at Bransty in Whitehaven (Image: Submitted)

“In addition to our usual advice, we’re also asking people not to touch birds (or feathers) due to the ongoing threat of avian flu in the area. It is important that if you come into contact with any birds, or their excrement, that you wash the area thoroughly.

“Whilst non-lethal deterrent measures should always be tried in the first instance, after all methods have been tried and a legitimate reason can be shown, it can be possible to seek the assistance of a licensed pest control contractor.”