Dog attacked by aggressive seagulls in Porthcawl, Wales

A flock of aggressive seagulls have been spotted dive-bombing innocent passers-by, smashed a man’s glasses and even attacked a dog.

Seagulls are nothing new for the seaside town of Porthcawl, south Wales, but two weeks ago a family of aggressive gulls moved into Mary Street and set up their nests on top of a hotel.

It’s claimed the gang of birds, including two parents and their “diva” chick, have been harassing residents ever since – with one hotel worker claiming he saw one of the gulls attack a dog.

It comes as the hunt for a missing chihuahua reportedly kidnapped by a seagull was called off yesterday.

Four-year-old Gizmo was in the garden of a house in Paignton, Devon, on Sunday when a gull swooped down and snatched it.

Despite the desperate search by her owners, the pooch hasn’t been found.

In Porthcawl, the manager of Mary Hotel said he has been attacked by the unruly gulls and claims he saw one of the birds attacking a dog.

David, who asked not to give his last name, told Wales Online: “The other day I saw one of them attacking a dog – it was a medium-sized dog.

“I was attacked last week.

“The chick had fallen and a cat had noticed and was trying to attack.

“I tried to get in the middle to stop it but the parents came down and attacked me.

“It happens every year but it has been particularly bad this year.”

Peter Williams, who was caught on video being attacked by the gulls, said he’s more cautious after the attack which left his reading glasses in pieces when one of the gulls pinched them from his head.

Mr Williams, who lives in Mary Street, said: “It might seem comical but it’s quite frightening when you don’t know they are going to attack you.

“I was walking down Mary Street and apparently there was a chick nearby. Out of the blue three or four came out of the sky and they were really going for me.

“If there was anyone older than me or young they could have run out into the road and got knocked down.

“I am more cautious about walking down the street now and other residents as well. Time will tell if they will do it again.”

In Cardiff attacking seagulls have stopped Royal Mail post workers delivering mail to Farm Drive near Roath Park, where nesting gulls have swooped at staff.

Residents have been known to arm themselves with umbrellas to fend off the swooping birds.