£1000 Reward to Help Nab Gulls’ Shooter

© iStockPhoto.com / WoodyUpstate

You may have heard recent news reports or seen the distressing images of two gulls who were shot through the head with bolts from a crossbow in Scarborough. Over the last month, both birds have been spotted flying in the area despite being impaled with the bolts.

PETA are offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for these vicious attacks. A reward may also deter the attacker from attacking again.

Animal abuse is a symptom of a deep mental disturbance. Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty towards animals don’t stop there. Many move on to make fellow humans their victims, turning to domestic violence and child or elder abuse. For some, unchecked violence leads to the murder of human beings.

Putting a stop to violent tendencies as soon as they become apparent should be a priority and is the responsibility of all members of society, as society pays the price when corrective action is not taken. To help raise awareness about the link between cruelty to animals and violence towards humans, please visit PETAF.org.uk for information to share with others. You can help by taking the following actions:

• Write to your local newspaper whenever you hear of an incidence of cruelty to animals.
• Contact magistrates and ask them to impose stricter sentences for animal abusers.
• If you are a teacher, download humane-education lesson plans, project ideas and activity sheets to use with your pupils.

And if you know anything about the shooting of the gulls, please call 020 7357 9229. Thank you!

You can also make a donation to PETA to support our campaigns, including our work to bring animal abuse to the attention of the police and to call for tougher sentences for abusers who are found guilty.