Llandudno child left traumatised by gull attack

Jun 24 2010 by Judith Phillips, North Wales Weekly News

A LITTLE girl was left traumatised after being attacked by seagulls in her garden.

Little Katie Thompson, five, was helping her mum by sweeping a pathway when two adult herring gulls swooped down at her on Sunday.

“She was terrified but had the presence of mind to twirl the brush around her head to protect herself, then ran into the house in tears,” said Katie’s mum Deborah, of St David’s Road, Llandudno.

“The seagulls were going for her head and could have caused an nasty injury.”

She said it appears the gulls had built a nest on the house and were probably being protective of their young.

She immediately called Conwy County Council to enquire if pest control operatives could help by removing the seagulls’ nest, but was surprised to be told they didn’t offer this service.

“I was told I’d have to arrange for a private licensed pest control firm to come out and give us advice on how to stop seagulls nesting on the roof, but that the nest cannot be removed.

“It means we will have to be very careful about letting the children out into the garden until the young birds have flown away,” said Deborah, who has three young children.

A council spokeswoman said that because seagulls are not classed as being a threat to health, no action can be taken about their nests, and it was down to householders to make their roofs gull-proof.

“If you have nesting gulls on your property you should take measures to prevent the gulls from returning in future years,” said the spokeswoman.

“You can do this by employing the services of a reputable pest control company to proof your property.”

judith.phillips