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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Drones considered for Whitehaven gull problem | Drones considered for Whitehaven gull problem |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Aggressive gulls that have snatched ice cream from children could be culled using drones, a councillor has suggested. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 | "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. | 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. | 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. | "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 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 borough 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. | 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. |