Man fined $160 after dropping ice cream cone in seagull attack
<p>A man holidaying on the South Devon Coast has been slapped with a $160 littering fine, after dropping an ice cream cone in the midst of a seagull attack.</p>
<p>Steven Higgins was enjoying a seaside stroll when he stopped for an ice cream cone.</p>
<p>After he purchased the cone, six seagulls caught the Yorkshire man unaware and launched themselves at him, causing him to drop the empty cone to the ground.</p>
<p>And to make matter worse, when the understandably shaky Higgins ditched the cone he was slapped with a huge £80 ($AU160) for littering!</p>
<p>Mr Higgins told the <a href="http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Tourist-fined-80-dropping-ice-cream-cone-seagull/story-29343278-detail/story.html" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Plymouth Herald</strong></span></a> the bird attack was “completely unexpected”.</p>
<p>“The attack left me really shaken-up,” he said. “The gulls had taken my ice-cream but had left me with the cone. I was scared that they would come back again, I was scared for my own safety.Within seconds I was slapped with an £80 fine for littering.</p>
<p>“I was a tourist, I don’t live down there, I’m not aware of these things.</p>
<p>“If I had been aware I wouldn’t be walking around outside with an ice-cream. I was physically assaulted, and I dropped the cone because I was scared for my own safety if they came back.”</p>
<p>Mr Higgins reportedly wrote to the environmental and civil enforcement company that issued the fine, asking them to reconsider due to the circumstances. </p>
<p>It’s wrong to litter, but we think this has gone a little too far. What do you think about the man’s story? Do you think they were right to issue the fine?</p>
<p>Share your thoughts in the comments below. </p>
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