Fears Chihuahua Snatched By Seagull Was Swallowed By Bird Whole

And though she is still hopeful the four-year-old will return home, experts have warned the bird may have swallowed the dog whole.

"If it's a black-backed seagull, it would be more than capable of swallowing a chihuahua.

"It doesn't look good. They are aggressive predators."

One of the country's leading specialists in the behaviour of urban seagulls, Peter Rock, said it wouldn't be the first time a seagull has been found to have eaten a large animal.

Speaking to the paper, he said: "If they can get something down their throats then they will eat it.

"I've heard of pigeons and rabbits being eaten whole and they are capable of pulling them apart.

"Given the chance they will eat anything and this poor dog sounds about the size of a rabbit, but I do hope she gets him back."

Mum-of-one Becca added: "I've seen them take ducklings from a pond and swallow them whole, and that was just so upsetting."

The four-year-old pooch was in Becca's backyard in Devon, England when she says a seagull swooped down and grabbed the dog with its beak and flew off.

At the time, she issued an appeal on social media, hoping someone would have information about where her beloved pet is.

However, according to reports, she was forced to remove the post after receiving a torrent of abuse from trolls.

She posted an update to her page yesterday, which said: "My baby is still missing. Doesn't feel right not waking up to him licking my face."

And she took the opportunity to address those who have claimed she made the whole thing up.

Becca wrote: "Are you all f*****g stupid, my partner has seen [sic] a seagull swoop down and take him! It's happened before."

She added: "Please, please, please, anyone finds a chihuaua he's mine a seagull has took him from my garden. Bottom of Maridon Road, Paignton. Have a really upset 6-year-old missing her dog."