A man was arrested and spent Sunday night in a prison cell after attacking a seagull in Port Erin.

People witnessing the incident were horrified by what they saw.

They included Michelle Haywood, who lives in Port St Mary, and was in Port Erin getting fish and chips when she saw the attack.

On Facebook she wrote: ’Did anyone take any pictures of the horrible man who attacked a seagull outside Franklin’s car dealers this evening at about 8.10pm?

’The drunk man and his mate sat on the wall with their chip and threw some on the ground.

’As the seagulls landed he started kicking out at them and managed to hit one enough to stun it.

’The poor seagull ended up in the road and was unable to fly away.’

Locals intervened and one man pursued him and was kicked by the assailant.

Police were soon on the scene and arrested the man - a visitor from Ireland - and he spent the night in a prison cell.

Meanwhile the seagull spent the night at Strand Vets.

Michelle had carried the stunned bird, wrapped in her hoodie, to the practice on Strand Road.

There the vet assessed its wings were fine, but it was still dazed and distressed.

After spending the night there, the bird was released in the morning.

The charge of the assault on the man was not pursued. He was cautioned for causing cruelty to animals.

Michelle appealed for images because she originally intended reporting the perpetrator to the wildlife protection officer, but she will no longer report him as the matter is already being dealt with by police.

She added: ’You might not like seagulls but they are a protected species and no wild animal deserves to be baited and attacked. A disgraceful episode in front of residents, children and visitors.’