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Drones considered for Whitehaven gull problem | Drones considered for Whitehaven gull problem |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Aggressive gulls that have snatched ice cream from children could be culled using drones, a councillor has suggested. | |
A Whitehaven boy was "traumatised" when a "seagull swooped down, took the ice cream out of his hand and off it went", town councillor Graham Roberts said. | |
The drones could be used to spray nests with a chemical to stop eggs hatching. | |
But, Copeland Borough Council their use was not one being considered. | |
Mr Roberts said the gulls could deter tourists going to the harbour town, leading to a downturn for its hospitality businesses. | |
"Anybody with any food near their face could have their nose or eye pecked," he said | |
"People don't want to be in fear of being attacked by seagulls." | "People don't want to be in fear of being attacked by seagulls." |
Spraying gull eggs by hand risks attack from the birds and both methods require a licence because seagulls are otherwise a protected species. | |
Mr Roberts intends to raise the use of drones at a meeting of the town council on 27 August, when the problem will be discussed. | |
"It's frightening. We've got to do something about it," he said. | |
"The fact is we can't stand by while people are being hurt. As councillors we have to protect those we represent and people want action." | |
The council said the seagulls did cause problems with mess but it had not received complaints about attacks. | |
Instead of using drones, it said the solution lay in not feeding the birds and for property owners to prevent gulls nesting on their buildings. |