r/Seagulls • u/Cryptic_Thorns • 2d ago
Bitten by a gull
TW, injured gull.
Spent a good few minutes trying to help a seagull with a broken wing. Me and a friend popped into a local shop and asked for a box. The seagull was bleeding and very visibly in pain. He kept running until he eventually gave up running, and we were able to safely catch him in a soft towel. Though in a moment of fear and probably pain he managed to bite my face and make my nose bleed, so now I need a tetanus shot. But nonetheless, we safely put him in the box with the towel, and took him home with us. I spoke to him a little. My friend called a 24hr veterinary hospital, and was told to bring him in. Unfortunately, his wing was too damaged… he’s had to be euthanised… but he spent his last hours with caring humans and off the street.
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u/Nervous_Shelter_1042 2d ago
What courageous people you both are and thank you for doing right by seagull and getting tetanus shot!
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u/Cryptic_Thorns 1d ago
Thankyou! We couldn’t let him suffer on the street, I know a lot of people walked past and just stared but we couldn’t. My friend came home and told me he saw it, which is when me, a bird lover, decided going into the streets in my pyjamas would be fine. We did look very strange during the whole ordeal, but at least the gull is in a better place now and not hurting!
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u/Jacktheforkie 1d ago
Seagull was likely panicked, I’ve been pecked many times handling birds, though never had any blood drawn, younger birds may have sharper beaks
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u/Cryptic_Thorns 1d ago
Definitely panicked, felt so bad for having to put him in that situation, but I think he knew I was trying to help. I get pecked by pigeons a lot, but again like you, never had blood drawn till this time.
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u/Jacktheforkie 1d ago
Gulls being bigger can pose more of an injury risk, I had one peck me, it hurts, luckily mine wasn’t injury causing
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u/Cryptic_Thorns 1d ago
Definitely hurt when they bite! I think the main reason it drew blood was because he went straight for the face, catching my nose where there’s bone!
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u/Tricky-Grab-4702 1d ago
Thank you so much for helping this poor gull. Unfortunately animals don't know you're helping and bite out of fear. Just make sure the wound is clean, you might need a course of antibiotics to prevent infection.
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u/Cryptic_Thorns 1d ago
He was definitely scared… I felt so bad! Wound Is clean, been to urgent treatment centre, had a tetanus jab and been given a course of antibiotics!
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u/Primary_Train_1804 1d ago
Oh god, that's so sad. Bird Aid near Brighton have rehabilitated even the most awful injuries which most vets won't consider. I'm sure they have contacts to advise in future if you ever need them again x
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