Police in the UK described the footage as ‘sickening.’
A CCTV camera has captured the shocking moment a drunk thug picked up a defenceless seagull before cruelly slamming it into a brick wall.
Footage shows Richard Kitching, 43, scooping up the bird before walking down the street and throwing it into a wall in the seaside town of Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
He then throws the seagull across the road during the minute-long attack.
Kitching was handed a 32-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, on Monday at Scarborough Magistrates Court.
In the CCTV camera footage, he can be seen walking towards the bird before grabbing it by its neck and triumphantly hoisting it above his head in his left hand.
During the sickening incident, which happened at around 2.20 am on August 13 last year, he can be seen swinging it around as he saunters down the street.
After throwing the bird into a wall, he then picks it up again and hurls the creature across the road.
The court heard how the attack only came to an end when a passerby moved the bird away from Kitching.
The witness said the bird was slowly flapping its wings, had no energy and was unresponsive to his presence.
Police said the gull was alive after the attack and hasn’t been located since.
A police officer monitoring CCTV footage at the time watched the scene unfold, before arresting the man.
Kitching was interviewed by police and an RSPCA inspector, telling them he had been drunk and was sorry for his actions.
He was pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, taking a wild bird, and a public order offence of causing harassment, alarm or distress.
Along with the suspended prison sentence, he was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, must pay £172 in fines and costs, and can not keep any animals for 12 months.
PC Lee Holmes from North Yorkshire Police branded Kitching’s actions as “cruel and shocking.”
He added: “The footage of the incident is sickening, and it’s almost beyond belief that someone could behave in this way.
“It’s not surprising that other members of the public were appalled by what they saw, and I’m grateful to those who provided witness statements to ensure Kitching could be brought to justice.”
RSPCA inspector Geoff Edmond described the incident as ‘horrific’ and said the gull will have ‘suffered pain and distress’ from the ‘unnecessary attack.’
He said: “I am appalled that this horrific incident has taken place.
“This gull has been tossed about like an object with total disregard for this bird’s feelings.
“It will have suffered pain and distress as a result of this unnecessary attack.”
