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Bird-brained rescue

Seagull rescue mission branded ‘overkill’ with TWELVE firefighters sent to save one bird

Two cops cars, three fire engines, a dozen firefighters and an RSPCA officer were involved in the rescue mission

TWO cops cars, three fire engines, a dozen firefighters and an RSPCA officer launch a daring rescue mission - to save a seagull.

They swooped into action after the bird became trapped in wire mesh wrapped around a chimney stack.

Twelve firefighters were called to the street in Blackpool to save a single bird
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Twelve firefighters were called to the street in Blackpool to save a single bird
Residents panicked when the saw the size of the response...
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Residents panicked when the saw the size of the response...
...but the panic quickly turned to anger when they realised how much cash was being spent on the seagull
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...but the panic quickly turned to anger when they realised how much cash was being spent on the seagull

Residents feared a major incident was unfolding on their own doorstep when the operation began.

Police blocked off both ends of the quiet street in Blackpool, Lancs., and 12 firefighters piled out of a fleet of three trucks.

But neighbours were left gobsmacked when they realised the entire mission was rolled out to save the stricken gull.

One bird loving resident thought the whole thing seemed like 'overkill'
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One bird loving resident thought the whole thing seemed like 'overkill'

Local businessman Philip Clayton, 56, reckons the bill ran into thousands of pounds - and branded it 'overkill'

The dad-of-two said: "In the past we’ve had a car go into a shop front. When we saw all the police and firemen we thought something big was going on.

"I soon realised that all this equipment and man power was being used to rescue one seagull caught under some wire netting on a chimney stack.

Firechiefs defended the decision saying that it was good practise and that it was the right thing to do
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Firechiefs defended the decision saying that it was good practise and that it was the right thing to do

"I couldn't believe it. I am bird lover and I quite like seagulls, but this seemed a little bit of overkill."

Lancashire Fire Service defended their response yesterday and told how cops cordoned off the road after the 999 call at 10am last Monday.

A spokesman said: "Obviously, if there were other incidents of higher priority the seagull would take second place.

But with two emergency services and the RSPCA involved...did we get value for money?
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But with two emergency services and the RSPCA involved...did we get value for money?

"It was about humanitarian responsibility. Fire services are tasked to save life. It does not say it always has to be human life."

He added: "It was not waste of money. Every turn out is an opportunity to retrain. A seagull today could be a person trapped on a roof top tomorrow.";

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An RSPCA spokesman said the seagull was taken to a local vets and has now been released

Last night, Jonathan Isaby, Chief Executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "It is no surprise that residents think that sending such an enormous fleet to rescue a stranded seagull is a bit bird-brained, clearly taxpayers have not got value for money here.

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