Dumfries is stepping up its war with seagulls.
Loreburn Community Council invited comments from the public about the increasing problem of birds divebombing the public and snatching food from the hands of children and adults.
Secretary Anne Lindsay gathered the remarks in a one day event through a Facebook page called Helping Dumfries and Galloway.
She was swamped with replies and said: “I got 60 in a 24 hour snap shot and they were both fascinating and horrifying.
“We all have stories about this problem and it has to stop.
“The gulls are actually controlling the town centre now. It really has got out of hand.
“They are clever and intelligent birds and know when there are good times to attack and now we have vulnerable people suffering such as young children and old folk.
“I once witnessed a child screaming in terror when there were a few near her making that awful noise while squabbling.
“We have had reports through this appeal of children being attacked and even bruised when food is snatched from them.
“One adult even said they had food taken out of their mouth while others say they are scared to go into
their gardens because of being swooped.
“This can happen when the baby gulls are in nests nearby and the parents are trying to protect them.
“This year has been worse as the removal of gull eggs has been stopped in the town.
“We, as a community council, are now gathering the comments and writing to NatureScot, which is a Scottish Government agency, putting these stories to them and asking what can be done. We are also writing to MSPs, councillors and Elaine Murray.
Dr Murray, the council leader, said: “NatureScot has tightened up on conditions for a licence to remove the nests which makes it difficult to control the problem.
“You are only granted a licence for removal if you have tried everything else.
“There’s a problem with people leaving takeaway leftovers in the street and even people feeding them.
“I have asked more than once if people are dropping food for the birds in the street could we use legislation that it is dropping litter.”
South Scotland MSP Colin Smyth called on the Holyrood government to come up with a “far better national response”, including stronger littering laws and direct support to fund gull proofing on buildings.
“Some would argue that if you get your sandwich nicked when sitting on a bench it’s not the end of the world but if you’re being woken up at 4am by the noise of screeching gulls, it’s miserable.”
