| Staff at the Dundee Cyrenians Centre, in Brewery Lane, said a resident had required hospital treatment after he became the latest victim to be attacked by the gulls on Sunday night.
He is one of a number of people who have been a hurt by the birds who are thought to be acting to protect their nests and their young.
Several members of staff from the centre have also been targeted by the gulls, with one lady left with cuts and grazes after being attacked on Friday.
One worker said, “The whole area is plagued by seagulls who are nesting at the moment and are very protective of their young. It’s particularly concerning, especially for children, if the seagulls swoop down and attack them.”
The problem with gulls is an ongoing problem not just for Dundee but for many towns and cities throughout the country.
The airborne scavengers have previously created mayhem for people living around Dundee’s schools as they swarm around food discarded by pupils returning after the lunchtime break.
Last month Dundee City Council environmental services and sustainability committee approved proposals to introduce street refuse bins in the city centre areas in a bid to prevent seagulls being attracted by insecure rubbish bags lying on the street.
The council actively encourages people to ensure their rubbish bags are secure so that scavenging birds cannot access food refuse.
Last year the Scottish Executive launched a £20,000 study to find out why seagulls are switching from the shore to the city centre in an attempt to alleviate the menace of the gulls.
A formal report by researchers at Stirling University went as far as recommending jail sentences or fixed penalties for those who persistently feed seagulls.
A cull of birds is ruled out because the population of some species, such as herring gulls, is low.
The report is to be considered by ministers before any further action is taken. |
