Woman charged with cruelty after 'taking seagull for walk on lead' in York

The injured bird was later put down by a vet

A woman was spotted walking a seagull on a lead (Matt Cardy/Getty Images)

A woman who allegedly took a seagull for a walk on a lead is set to appear in court.

The 44-year-old was charged after police were called to York city centre and found the bird was injured. It later had to be put down by vet.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers were called out on the morning of 28 June "to reports that a woman was walking on Parliament Street with a seagull on a lead".

He added: "On arrival, officers discovered that the seagull was injured. The seagull was checked over by a vet but sadly had to be put to sleep due to its injuries."

The woman, of no fixed address, has been charged with taking a wild bird, injuring a wild bird, and using threatening or abusive words or behaviour.

She is due to appear at York Magistrates' Court on 14 July.