BRIDPORT Police and the RSPCA want to find the culprits responsible for a ‘cruel’ seagull attack in West Bay.

Horrified witnesses saw the driver of a distinctive red and white P registration car with cartoon characters on it, feed a flock of seagulls near the bus stop on West Bay harbour – and then deliberately run them over, killing four birds and wounding others.

PC Scott McGregor said the complaint about the incident went straight to the RSPCA who were actively pursuing it.

PC McGregor said: “The RSPCA are taking this very seriously and actively pursuing this on the grounds of animal cruelty.

“The crux of it was that the occupants of the vehicle were baiting the seagulls with food so they would come down en masse to feed and then this car tried to kill them.

“Seagulls are a protected species when they are nesting but irrespective of that animal cruelty is the primary offence .

“Seagulls are seagulls but you still can't be cruel to animals. “Our appeal is for any information relating to this incident that would allow us to liase with the RSPCA to help find and prosecute anyone engaging in this activity.”

The RSPCA confirmed that it received a complaint at about 6.30pm on Sunday, April 7.

Investigating officer John Pollock said the car was very distinctive – with a red front and white boot with cartoon characters painted down the side – and had been seen in the area before.He said it appeared the occupants were four teenagers, two male and two female.

He said: “We were told the driver got out, threw down food on the ground and on the bonnet of the car and when the birds flew down to feed, he jumped back in the car and drove at the birds killing four of them.

“Another bird was badly injured and it fell into the water trying to make its escape and we don’t know what happened to it.

“Incidents like this are few and far between, but it is horrendous and disturbing to think that anyone would think that treating wild birds in this way is amusing.

“Please don’t assume that other people will have come forward about this. If anyone has information contact us.”

Contact the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999 or police on 101.