A diner who allegedly attacked a seagull for stealing his lunch has sparked outrage after claiming wild birds should be trained to have proper table manners
A man who allegedly attacked a seagull for pinching his lunch has insisted wild birds need to be taught proper table manners. Charlie Righton reportedly launched an attack on the bird in front of horrified families at the Harbour View Cafe in Porthleven, Cornwall.
Witnesses say Mr Righton grabbed the feathered thief after it swooped for his meal, before punching it, smashing it against a stone wall and stuffing it through a fence. Holidaymakers rescued the bird, which was left struggling on the tarmac and is said to have suffered broken wings.
But rather than apologising, Mr Righton has now lashed out at the tourists, claiming they “ruined” the bird’s day by taking it away.
Defending his actions on social media, the self-proclaimed “animal lover” blamed local authorities for failing to train wild gulls.
He wrote that: “Having had root canal treatment, I felt obliged to give the seagull that attempted to steal my food a little roughing up”.
Denying he broke its wings, he said: “It’s unfortunate that our local council and ecologists haven’t done what is a simple thing and train the animals not to take food out of our mouths! My dog does not take from my table and neither should our gulls.”
He added: “I am actually an animal lover and believe that with the correct training all species can live in harmony.”
Mr Righton claimed he acted out of “intense pain” after the bird hit his face following recent dental work, triggering an “automatic” reaction.
In a further post, he wrote: “I didn’t even damage the animal…Get a grip, find something useful to do with your day go plant a tree!”
Furious social media users quickly slammed his explanation. One wrote: “No aggression towards any animal is acceptable and I’m sure you would have some strong words for me if I’d ‘roughed up’ your dog.”
Another said: “I’d love to see you train a seagull.” A third posted: “Trained? A wild animal? Maybe we could train weaver fish not to sting, or pigeons not to coo!”
An eyewitness recalled the attack online, saying: “This man brutally and repeatedly smashed a seagull against the wall of the Harbour View Cafe.
“He then stuffed the seagull through the fence onto the road, where it floundered with two broken wings. This was in front of numerous people and children who were hugely upset.”
Devon and Cornwall Police confirmed they are looking into the incident. A spokesperson said: “It was reported the suspect grabbed and punched the seagull leaving it injured.
“Enquiries into the matter are ongoing. Anybody with any relevant footage or information is asked to call 101 or visit our website quoting 50260183379.”
All wild birds are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it illegal to intentionally injure or kill a seagull without a licence.