A MAN from West Kirby is fined almost £1,000 for shooting a seagull which he said had become a nuisance in the area.

After shooting the bird he was reported to the RSPCA who duly sent an inspector to investigate.

The man in question admitted his action and the RSPCA duly started criminal proceedings.

The man in question was himself an animal lover and indeed had made donations to the RSPCA for the past 15 years.

One would have thought a warning would have been sufficient for a first offence.

The case reminds me of another in Wirral a few years ago where a lady dog-lover took in stray, homeless dogs.

She became known for this resulting in lots of people taking strays to her.

She did not have the heart to turn them away, resulting in people taking her more and more stray dogs – to the extent that she could no longer cope.

She was reported to the RSPCA who duly arrived at her home with inspectors, vets, police and a camera crew.

The RSPCA took her to court where she was convicted and heavily fined.

One might have thought that rather than criminal proceedings the RSPCA would have gone to her assistance.

D Roberts, Prenton.