ANOTHER gull has been shot dead with an air rifle in Prestatyn.

The bird was found on Salisbury Avenue last Thursday (July 19). Following an x-ray, the animal was found to have been shot by an air pellet.

On July 9, another gull was found dead on the same street and another on July 12 was found to have severe injuries.

The gull had to be put to sleep to avoid further suffering due to the severity of the bird's injuries.

These incidents follow a series of mindless attacks in Prestatyn and Rhyl.

On Friday, the Journal reported how a seagull was spotted flying around with a crossbow bolt through its body in Rhyl.

A dead gull, that had been shot by an air gun, was also found at Rhyl High School on Grange Road at the start of the month and a severely injured gull was found at St Mary's Church, Wellington Road on the corner with Ffynnongroew Road, in Rhyl on July 6.

Pellets inside the bird were found following an x-ray which had caused injuries to the bird’s leg. The gull had to be put to sleep.

Jenny Anderton, RSPCA inspector Jenny Anderton, said: “All these birds were x-rayed and all found to have air gun pellets inside them confirming they were shot. This latest gull appeared to have been dead for some time, so we don’t have an exact date of the incident, but these attacks have been carried out over the past few weeks.

“This surge in these attacks are extremely concerning and are just causing so much unnecessary suffering to these birds.

“It's so difficult to understand why anyone would carry out such mindless attacks on innocent, defenceless creatures.

“We urge that anyone with any information – or who may have witnessed an attack – is urged to contact our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

It is an offence to injure or kill a wild bird under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and offenders can face an unlimited fine and/or six months imprisonment. Licences are available or can be applied for, to help resolve certain issues.