AN ANIMAL charity is urging people to think about the dangers of nets to seagulls after 275 rescues in two months.

RSPCA animal collection officer Chris Inman wants people to take more care when putting netting on their homes or go fishing.

The Torquay branch of the charity dealt with the rescues and collections of sick, injured or orphaned gulls in the summer months of June and July.

Chris, one of the animal collection officers, is employed by the RSPCA to help any sick or injured animal in the TQ post code area.

And he is standing up for the feathered bird, usually the victim of a bad press.

Despite successfully rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing a huge number of gulls, the summer months have seen a big increase in gull injuries due to competition for breeding, nest sites and food.

He said: "A big problem for gulls and animal collection officers is netting, normally put on roofs to deter gulls and prevent them from nesting.

"Gulls and other birds can easily get caught in netting if it is not made of the right material, properly installed and regularly maintained.

"This year I have removed many gulls from netting and often the birds have suffered horrific injuries from netting cutting into the skin and muscle or have been stuck for many days and are too weak and dehydrated to recover."

He urged people to make sure any netting put on roofs was the right sort, preferably thick and reinforced.

He said: "If people are thinking of having netting put on the roof, it should be a small mesh that birds cannot get legs, wings or heads stuck in.

"Something like garden netting is unsuitable as it deteriorates very quickly and cuts like cheese wire once a bird is caught in it."

He urged fisherman to dispose of discarded line safely and not to throw unused bait into the water.

"Fishing and crabbing lines are another major problem for these sea birds," he said. "In some cases birds become entangled in discarded lines. Again, this can cause terrible injuries.

"A number of gulls I have rescued have swallowed baited hooks. Many crabbers and fishermen will throw unwanted bits of bait into the water which is readily eaten by hungry gulls.

"Unfortunately birds do not differentiate between discarded bait and a baited hook so will also readily eat the hook and line."