David Cameron: "We need a big conversation about seagull problem"

Close up of Herring gull, Larus argentatus, standing on wall with sea behind, paignton, Devon

Prime Minister David Cameron has said there needs to be a "big conversation" about Britain's killer seagull problem after a pet tortoise and Yorkshire terrier were attacked by the birds in Cornwall.

Speaking to BBC Radio Cornwall, David Cameron said: "It is a dangerous one for the prime minister to dive in and come up with an instant answer with the issues of the protection of seagulls, whether there is a need for a cull, what should be done about eggs and nests.

"I think a big conversation needs to happen about this and frankly the people we need to listen to are people who really understand this issue in Cornwall, and the potential effects it is having. Reading the papers this morning about how aggressive the seagulls are now in St Ives, for instance, we do have a problem."

Liskeard resident Jan Byrne said seagulls swooped on her tortoise Stig which later died from its injuries.

She told the BBC: "They turned him over and were pecking at him. We were devastated."

Just days earlier, Yorkshire terrier Roo was attacked and killed in Newquay, and in May a Chihuahua puppy was killed in Devon.

Prior to the General Election, £250,000 was pledged for research into aggressive seagulls but this was later axed.

St Austell and Newquay MP Steve Double has called for the funding to be reinstated.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "We could sterilise them - at the moment that would be illegal but I think it is time to review the law."