A SEAGULL has died after being shot by an airgun.

The bird was found on Redhill Road in Sunderland on Thursday with most of its wing broken and the metal pellet still embedded in its wing. Vets later put the bird down because it was so badly injured it could not be saved.

The gull is the third bird in two days found shot with an air rifle in the same neighbourhood.

Rowena Proctor, of the RSPCA, said: “This poor gull must’ve been in so much distress and pain. His wing was almost completely broken off thanks to the injury from the air rifle.

“It is so upsetting to think that people take pleasure in causing such horrific injuries to defenceless animals.

“These are deliberate acts of cruelty and we would appeal to people’s consciences not to commit these offences.

"Unfortunately, air rifle attacks are not as rare as we would like. The injuries caused by such attacks are horrific and often fatal - just like in the case of this poor gull”.

She added: “At the moment the RSPCA is calling for tighter controls with better education and explanation of the law when buying an air gun and that everyone must receive basic safety training before being allowed to walk out of the shop”.

Anyone with information about what happened to these birds is urged to contact the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.