Fears seagull that snatched chihuahua Gizmo may have swallowed dog WHOLE
FEARS are growing that Gizmo, the chihuahua that was snatched by a seagull, could have been swallowed whole. Becca Hill, 24, was distraught after the bird swooped and carried off four-year-old miniature chihuahua Gizmo in its beak two days ago. Becca is hoping Gizmo is still unharmed and can be reunited with the family and […]
FEARS are growing that Gizmo, the chihuahua that was snatched by a seagull, could have been swallowed whole.
Becca Hill, 24, was distraught after the bird swooped and carried off four-year-old miniature chihuahua Gizmo in its beak two days ago.
Becca is hoping Gizmo is still unharmed and can be reunited with the family and their two other dogs at their home in Paignton, Devon.
But DogLost co-ordinator Wayne May said: “It wouldn’t be out of the seagull’s remit to swallow a dog that size whole.
“If it’s a black-backed seagull, it would be more than capable of swallowing a chihuahua.
“It doesn’t look good. They are aggressive predators.”
Peter Rock, the country’s leading expert on urban seagulls, said: “If they can get something down their throats then they will eat it.
“I’ve heard of pigeons and rabbits being eaten whole and they are capable of pulling them apart.
“Given the chance they will eat anything and this poor dog sound about the size of a rabbit but I do hope she gets him back.”
Becca said: “I’ve seen them take ducklings from a pond and swallow them whole and that was just so upsetting.”
Becca’s partner was hanging out the washing when he saw the seagull attack the pet in Paignton, Devon, she said in a Facebook appeal.
But she has been forced to remove the post after being abused by trolls making light of her torment.
Becca posted an update on Facebook yesterday, saying: “My baby is still missing. Doesn’t feel right not waking up to him licking my face.”
She hit back at trolls who suggested the incident hadn’t happened.
The mum-of-one wrote: “Are you all f*****g stupid, my partner has seen (sic) a seagull swoop down and take him! It’s happened before.”
Becca also revealed her young daughter was distraught over missing Gizmo in a desperate plea to find her dog.
She wrote: “Please, please, please, anyone finds a chihuaua he’s mine a seagull has took him from my garden. Bottom of Maridon Road, Paignton. Have a really upset 6 year old missing her dog.”
The RSPCA told The Sun Online: “Our hearts go out to Gizmo’s family and we hope he is found soon and is OK.
“This must be extremely upsetting for the dog’s owner.
“Fortunately these types of incidents are very rare and not typical gull behaviour.”
While seagull attacks on dogs are not unheard of they are still rare.
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In August 2015 a seagull attacked and tried to carry off a Jack Russell near the Port of Dover.
Dene Robertson rushed out of his kitchen after hearing his dog, which weighed 16lbs, yelp, only to find the bird had the two-year-old by the neck and was trying to lift him into the air.
Last month, a savage great black-backed seagull was spotted feasting on a poor bunny on the island of Skokholm, Wales.
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