Feeding seagulls 'a religious right', British council advised

Fining people for feeding seagulls would breach their religious rights, a council has been told.

When it tried to address the issue of aggressive birds in the local area, Conwy council in Llandudno was advised against doling out fines.

Responding to the suggestion that a financial penalty may work in a similar way to those issued to people who drop cigarette butts, the council’s head of tourism Jim Jones tweeted: “We looked at the issue of fines, but were told it’s the right 2 feed birds within some religions!”

The news comes after British Prime Minister David Cameron recently said a “big conversation” is needed about the threat from aggressive birds.

The Prime Minister spoke out about seagulls after two attacks in Cornwall left a pet tortoise and a Yorkshire terrier dead.

Here in Ireland, the Seanad has discussed the issue of the fearless seabirds once again, after a Dublin woman had her phone stolen by a gull in the Botanic Gardens.

Currently people who visit Llandudno north shore beach are warned against feeding the birds.

On the area’s tourism website it states: “And remember, please do not feed the seagulls.”

A quarter of a million pounds had been earmarked by the Government for research into how to deal with growing numbers of seagulls in towns and cities, but the plan was scrapped when the Budget was revealed last month.