PEOPLE are being urged to contact the police if they see seagulls being attacked.

It comes after a man killed a herring gull because it stole his chips.

John Llewellyn-Jones, 64, of Bishopston Road, Cardiff, smashed the bird against a wall while in Weston-super-Mare last summer.

Roger Musselle, from Roger’s Wildlife Centre in Woodingdean, said: “All birds are protected by law when nesting.

“Some birds like herring gulls are on a red list of endangered species world-wide as numbers are crashing.

“But you can’t tell that to someone in Brighton and Hove.”

Mr Musselle, 73, who saves injured birds in the city and cares for them at his rescue centre urged people to report any attacks to the police.

On Tuesday, magistrates gave Llewellyn-Jones a 12-week curfew between the hours of 8pm and 8am.

He killed the gull in front horrified children after it ate some of his chips. The RSPCA charity said his actions were “unthinkable” and he “cared more for his chips than what his actions did to the poor gull”.

He was found guilty of an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, which protects gulls.

Following the incident, Mr Musselle said: “When I heard about it I thought at least he was punished to a degree. But it wouldn’t have hurt to give him some sort of prison sentence.”

Mr Musselle is urging people to report all cases of abuse against animals.

He said: “Obviously if people feel like they can talk to the person who’s doing it then they should do that.

“But if they can’t, report all cases to the police.”

Roger’s Wildlife Centre has helped tens of thousands of animals over the years.

He is assisted by his wife Fleur and an army of volunteers.

They tend to injured gulls, rear hedgehogs through hibernation, and give advice over the phone.

Talking about his work, Mr Musselle said: “I’ve just had my bird-room fully refurbished.

“We have had new caging and new shelving put in and have replaced a shed.

“Last year we looking after 600 herring gulls.”

The centre is always in need of newspapers, wood shavings, and of course, money.

Those looking to help can also join Roger’s World Club in which subscribers pay a monthly fee to receive ongoing radio shows about life at the centre.