A MENACING seagull snapped lurking on a chimney in Devon has sparked fears it is the “psycho” bird that snatched a chihuahua. The gull was pictured looking around the scene shortly after four-year-old Gizmo vanished from the home of distraught Becca Hill in Paignton on Sunday. She said the bird swooped and carried off the […]
A MENACING seagull snapped lurking on a chimney in Devon has sparked fears it is the “psycho” bird that snatched a chihuahua.
The gull was pictured looking around the scene shortly after four-year-old Gizmo vanished from the home of distraught Becca Hill in Paignton on Sunday.
She said the bird swooped and carried off the pooch as partner Ashley Rawlings looked on horrified.
Now pictures have emerged of a fierce-looking seagull close to the home as a search for the beloved dog continues.
One neighbour said: “It is impossible to know if this particular gull was responsible but the way he was lurking must surely make him the prime suspect.”
Speaking to The Sun yesterday, pregnant Becca, 24, urged neighbours to keep an eye out for her loveable pet in the desperate hope he is still be alive.
She sobbed: “I’m just hoping he’s been dropped somewhere and can’t get out or he’s on a roof and can’t get down.
“But until I know exactly what’s happened I won’t be able to rest – he’s my baby and I really miss him and want him back home.
“I’m pleading with people locally to have a look in sheds and listen out to see if they can hear him yelping.
“Gizmo was rescued two years ago from a dog breeder and he was my baby. He was my favourite out of the three and I really miss him.”
Becca initially posted an appeal on Facebook for help in finding Gizmo but had to then take it down after she was targeted by sick trolls making fun of her plight.
UAV Lost Dog Search & Rescue, who are assisting the hunt for the dog, said she was abused by people making “hateful and spiteful comments”.
Partner Ashley, 32, said he was in the garden hanging out the washing when the gull “swooped” down and picked up the 5lbs dog.
He added: “I jumped up to try and grab him but was just too short and it flew off over the houses and down towards the valley.”
There are now fears Gizmo could have been swallowed whole – with the huge birds capable of eating rabbits and pigeons in one.
DogLost co-ordinator Wayne May said: “It wouldn’t be out of the seagull’s remit to swallow a dog that size whole.
“If it’s a black-backed seagull, it would be more than capable of swallowing a chihuahua.
“It doesn’t look good. They are aggressive predators.”
While seagull attacks on dogs are not unheard of they are still rare.
In August 2015 a seagull attacked and tried to carry off a Jack Russell near the Port of Dover.
Dene Robertson rushed out of his kitchen after hearing his dog, which weighed 16lbs, yelp, only to find the bird had the two-year-old by the neck and was trying to lift him into the air.
Last month, a savage great black-backed seagull was spotted feasting on a poor bunny on the island of Skokholm, Wales.
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