A despairing mum has denied cruel online taunts that she invented a story about her pet chihuahua being snatched by a seagull.
Becca Hill, 24, says four-year-old Gizmo was grabbed by a gull who swooped into her garden. Her boyfriend tried to grab Gizmo by the legs but could not reach.
Becca, of Paignton, Devon, made a Facebook appeal for help but has had to remove it after a tirade of sick taunts, including one person who claimed to have barbecued Gizmo.
She told a national newspaper: "I don’t know how people can be so awful. People have been saying I made it all up but my boyfriend saw it all. 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 in bits.”
A neighbour has pointed out the bird he thinks is behind the abduction, DevonLive reports.
A fierce-looking gull was pictured surveying the scene and seemingly on the lookout for fresh prey on the same street where the dog was taken just hours earlier.
The 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."
Other neighbours said the birds had become so brazen in recent weeks they had started to snatch rabbits from the ground, but were still shocked to hear a dog had now been taken.
"We have heard reports that rabbits have also been snatched from the ground.
“I guess it was only time until they progressed – but it must be very distressing for Becca and her family. It is hard to believe a dog can be taken in this way though.”
