A pensioner suspected of beating a seagull to death with his walking stick has been arrested, police say.
The unnamed 67-year-old left the bird “smashed to bits” on the pavement in Rhyl, according to onlookers.
But the man himself appeared unconcerned by the incident. He is reported to have returned to a nearby pub to finish his drink.
North Wales Police were called to the scene and arrested the suspected attacker under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, which protects birds.
A force spokesman said on Saturday: “We responded to an incident on Market Street, Rhyl at 12.26pm yesterday following reports that an elderly man was hitting a bird with a walking stick.
“The 67-year old man has now been arrested under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and has been taken into custody.”
Responding to the alleged attack, an RSPCA Cymru spokeswoman said: “These allegations are very shocking and extremely serious.
“This matter is being investigated by North Wales Police and we are unable to comment further for legal reasons.”
It is not clear what caused the pensioner to launch the frenzied assault on the bird, but seagulls on the north Wales coast can be bold around humans.
In July last year, a teaching assistant from nearby Prestatyn reported how he feared leaving his home because a family of the animals had built a nest in his roof and had taken to attacking him every time he walked out his front door.
The local council’s advice at the time was to get an umbrella.
