JILLPROFFITT, of Dingley Dell, Teignmouth, Animal Rescue, writes:

Some of your correspondents such as Denise Smith and John Evason appear to have a hate campaign against seagulls.

Denise Smith says they are a hazard and should be dealt with. Is she suggesting that they should be shot or poisoned? Is that just because she does not like them?

Mr Evason thinks the taxpayer should pay to do something. Many of us would have an opinion about killing our birds with taxpayers money. Our taxes are needed more on cleaning up after humans who do far more damage.

The seagull population is not out of control; there are fewer herring gulls now than two years ago. The herring gull population along with other species such as the lesser black has actually declined by more than 50 per cent in the last few years according to Natural England and the herring gull is now on the red alert list. They are a protected species.

There has to be concrete evidence that a seagull is a health and safety problem. The fact that they sit and defecate on your roof isnt.

Locals feed the gulls as well as holidaymakers and they are often afraid to voice their opinion in favour of the gulls because of a minority of people against them.

Where does Denise Smith get her evidence that seagull effluent damages roofs? Mine isnt damaged.

Seagulls protect their young aggressively; which animal or creature doesnt?

For myself and others who rescue injured birds, including seagulls that have been maimed, poisoned and abused by people who rarely admit to it, it is an act of vile and evil cruelty. To live with that behaviour is far worse than any damage a seagull could do.

Denise Smith says young chicks are a danger to life and limb and an overwhelming cause for concern. That is totally untrue; I have rescued all birds for 45 years and have never had a days illness because of them.

The chicks are the real victims the hazards are endless, they are defenceless living creatures at the mercy of any passerby.

I get daily calls in support of our gulls and of those who find injured ones, many take time and effort in caring for them and then releasing them. Many brought here to the sanctuary have appalling injuries, often deliberately caused by humans. The fatality rate every year is high. Gulls have been here for thousands of years and we have to learn to live with them.

THIS AND OTHER LETTERS IN OUR ONLINE EDITION