RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after an x-ray revealed a gull was shot in Barry.

The animal welfare charity was contacted on Monday, August 5 after the gull was found covered in blood in a garden in Broad Street.

RSPCA inspector Gemma Black said: “When I got there I discovered a gull that couldn’t stand with a nasty wound on its wing.

“It was immediately odd as it was confined to a garden with no access in and out.

“Based on its injuries I suspected the gull had been shot - likely mid-flight or whilst on a nearby roof.

“I took the gull to nearby vets who sadly immediately made the decision to put the gull to sleep to alleviate suffering.”

At the vets, an x-ray revealed a pellet inside the bird - suggesting that the bird had been deliberately attacked.

She added: “While I was at the vets I was also shown a dead gull that had been found on their roof which was very suspicious and there have been other reports of dead adult gulls in the area.

“There is only a relatively small area that someone could be shooting gulls from within this vicinity so hopefully someone may have seen something.

“We’re now issuing an appeal for information to try and find out who is doing this and if any of these gull deaths are related.

Anyone with any information is urged to contact our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

Gulls, their eggs and their nests are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 so it is illegal to intentionally kill, take or injure gulls and other wild birds except under licence.

Herring gulls in particular are a species of conservation concern in the UK and evidence indicates that overall herring gull populations are in decline.

The RSPCA gives advice on living in harmony with gulls via rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/livingwith