SPCA: Seagulls Attacked with Blow Darts

The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reported Friday receiving photos of a seagull pierced in the head with a blow dart — a repeat of June, when a different seagull was spotted wandering the Long Wharf in Sag Harbor with a dart through its head.

The dart was apparently fired from a blow gun, according to Roy Gross, the chief of the Suffolk SCPA, piercing the seagull's head from front to back.

Photos came in Thursday and Friday of what was originally thought to be the bird spotted in June. But that bird was captured that month and died before it could be treated, according to Virginia Frati, the founder of the  in Hampton Bays.

This new round of photos is of a new bird with a similar injury, Frati said. The date of the attack and the time and location of the subsequent photos is not known, she said, but the color of the bird is different and it is impaled with a different blow dart.

In another incident, a seagull impaled with an arrow was spotted Thursday afternoon near 475 East Main Street in Patchogue. By the time SPCA investigators arrived the seagull was gone, according to the report.

"We find it disturbing that there are so many cases of premeditated acts against animals and wildlife," Gross said. "This is a demented individual or group of individuals that gets their kick out of hurting animals." 

The Suffolk County SPCA is asking the public for any information regarding these attacks. Anyone who spots the animals is encouraged to call the SPCA at 631-382-7722, and the SPCA has warned the public not to try to touch the birds or attempt to remove the arrow or dart.

"We have experts ready, willing and able to help these birds," Gross said.

The blow dart incident is the latest reported in a series of animal cruelty cases across the East End. SCPA officials have offered a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for at a Montauk beach last Saturday.

In addition, last Friday a near Indian Island County Park in Riverhead, and in early July a box turtle was found in Noyac with a . Both animals are recovering at the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons.

Gross confirmed Friday that the SPCA is pursuing significant leads on the stoning in Montauk and the swan attack.

The SPCA is offering rewards for information regarding all recent cases, and in addition authorities have begun to post fliers in various towns where the attacks took place, Gross said.

Gross reiterated statements made during that assailants who harm animals have a tendency to escalate their violence eventually toward humans, making the capture of those responsible a top priority.