Woman left with blood pouring down her face after vicious seagull attack

07 August 2023 , 10:40

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Rhiannon Fennell was left covered in blood (Image: DAILY POST NORTH WALES)

A woman was left with her face covered in blood after being savaged by a rampaging seagull in her own garden.

Rhiannon Fennell thought a brick had fallen on her head when she was knocked to the ground during what she soon learned was in fact a vicious attack. With blood pouring down her face, the 69-year-old didn't know what had happened initially, but as she picked herself off the floor, she realised that she had been pecked on the head by one of the seagulls that were nesting on her roof.

Mrs Fennell, who has lived in Prestatyn for 26 years, says the problem has worsened recently with seemingly more seagulls nesting further inland. With a few cuts and bruises, she says she is feeling fine and the injuries are "nothing a few painkillers won't sort". But the pensioner, who lives next door to young children, wants to use her terrifying experience to warn other, to be vigilant, especially at a time when seagulls can be extra protective of their chicks.

Rhiannon Fennell was sat in her own garden when she was attacked (DAILY POST NORTH WALES)

She wants to warn others of the danger (DAILY POST NORTH WALES)

Mrs Fennell said: "I went out through the back door to go to the shed and as soon as I stepped foot outside, the seagull swept down and hit me over the head. I thought a brick had fallen on my head as I was knocked to the ground. It was quite vicious really, it pecked on my head and I couldn't see because the blood had run down my face and over my glasses. When I got inside I washed away the blood and put some antiseptic cream on it and took some painkillers.

"It seems the gulls are more aggressive at this time of the year because they're protecting their chicks. The gulls have been nesting on the roof for years, but the problem seems to be getting worse. I just hope people take care with their children as these birds can do some damage. I lived in Africa for thirty years where they have all sorts of dangerous animals and I was never attacked. Now I'm living in Prestatyn and I get attacked by a seagull!"

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The news comes as one town in North Wales has reported being terrorised by the birds, who are frequently sweeping down to steal people's ice creams and leaving their victims bloodied and battered. Rhyl had originally launched a £20,000 project to tackle the problem, but was forced to mothball it after a backlash from animal rights campaigners.

Kelly-Ann Mills