Fire brigade defends bird rescue

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFRS) has defended its decision to rescue a seagull trapped in netting at an estimated cost of £800.

Mark Wallace, of the Taxpayers' Alliance, said the brigade should not be saving every seagull in trouble.

"We're told anyone dialling 999 for a non-emergency risks lives. It beggars belief they decided to save the gull."

DSFRS said: "We regard ourselves as a humane organisation. But a human life at risk would have taken priority."

'Humane thing'

Spokesman Paul Slaven added: "The bird was in distress and it was distressing for the onlookers.

"We rescue cats and dogs and this was the humane thing to do."

The operation began on Wednesday morning when the seagull was seen on the roof of the Penny Lane sausage factory on a trading estate, trapped beneath anti-gull netting.

When five officers in a standard engine failed to reach the stricken bird, the extendable platform carrying two more crew members was called in to dislodge it.

The fire service confirmed it was the RSCPA who called them out and that the cost might now be recovered from them.

The gull was taken to a local wildlife centre to be treated for an injured wing.