Senseless attack: A second seagull has been found with a bolt through its head in Scarborough, North Yorkshire A second seagull has been found with a crossbow through its head in a North Yorkshire seaside town, prompting fears the birds are being targeted by armed attackers.
Just a month after a seagull was found with a silver-tipped bolt pierced through the top of its head, a second bird was spotted with a black bolt lodged in its head.
Miraculously, both birds survived the attack.
Locals in Scarborough believe an attacker armed with a crossbow is taking potshots at the town's wildlife.
The RSPCA are now searching for both birds, who could have been flying round with their injuries for over a month.
Graham Rhodes, who runs the town's Aakschipper Gallery, was stunned when he first spotted the injured bird while walking his dog.
The appearance of a new winged victim has worried the father-of-one.
Mr Rhodes, 60, said: 'It looks like another seagull with a bolt in its head because the first gull's one had no flights and a silver tip while this picture seems to show a bolt with flights and a black tip.'
'This is very worrying, is someone going out and hunting these birds with a crossbow?'
'I have absolutely no idea which could have been shot first, there is no way to tell, but it looks like it could be a repeat attack.
First victim: This injured seagull was spotted last month. The RSPCA is now looking for both animals 'I think the general feeling is 'good on it' for carrying on with its life but the underlying worry is there is someone going around with a crossbow. How many times did he miss?'
Scarborough's RSPCA inspector, Geoff Edmond, said: 'It is absolutely appalling and completely illegal to be shooting birds in this manner.
'When I saw a picture I assumed it was the first bird but with a closer look you can see the difference in the bolts.
'But we still don't know if this seagull has been shot at the same time as the first one or later.
'This is a concern, it looks like there are two seagulls flying around injured and a concern that somebody has been shooting them.'
Anyone with information about the attacks or the animals is urged to contact the RSPCA.
source: dailymail
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