A video which shows a seagull being fed a substance that appears to be a drug has sparked outrage on social media.

Huddersfield man Josh Greenwood, who says the substance was salt, posted the video on his Twitter feed. It shows a yellow legged gull eating a chip covered in something white that was taken out of a plastic bag and is captioned “KETchup”.

This has given people the impression the substance was ketamine, which can induce a trance-like state while providing pain relief and sedation.

But when challenged by the Examiner over the video, Mr Greenwood insisted it was only salt. His solicitor repeated that assertion in an email to us.

Mr Greenwood’s other posts and profile biography suggest the video was taken in Ibiza. Posted via his Twitter account, it shows someone emptying white crystals onto a chip on a balcony before a gull swoops down on it and carries it off in its mouth, causing screams of male laughter.

In the narration, Mr Greenwood said: “Always make sure you have some KETchup with your chips for Sally the Seagull.”

Later, someone from behind the camera can be heard laughing and shouting “He’s got the chip, ahahaha.”

The video was also allegedly posted onto an Ibiza Workers Facebook group according to screenshots taken by Josh, who according to a Facebook profile page bearing his Twitter profile image went to Huddersfield New College and lived in Meltham.

At no point in the video did Mr Greenwood refer to it as a joke.

Josh Greenwood on the threats he has received after the video was posted from his account
Josh Greenwood on the threats he has received after the video was posted from his account

One person who emailed the Examiner said: “I am utterly disgusted and feel he should be named and shamed; this kind of cruelty to animals is not acceptable.”

Meanwhile others’ responses were shared by Josh that appear to have been taken from Facebook.

One said: “That’s really cruel.”

Another said: “Seriously worrying behaviour anyone who feels enjoyment out of hurting innocent creatures.”

Others invited people to contact Josh via Facebook.

When contacted by the Examiner, Josh admitted to taking the video but strongly denied any drugs were involved.

He said on Facebook: “My mate put salt on a chip and a seagull ate it while I filmed.

“It’s called a joke. I have my mother on Twitter do you think I would publicly post something like that if it was what it’s made out to be?

“It’s called sarcasm! Making a joke out of it because of people like you overreacting to something that wasn’t even what it was made out to be.”

Josh's reaction on Twitter after the controversy began
Josh's reaction on Twitter after the controversy began

Solicitor Paul Booth from Huddersfield firm Baxter Caulfield said: “Salt is put on a chip which it is pretended is a drug and the chip is left for a seagull which takes the chip. This was a silly joke by a young man on holiday with his mates, who never intended it to be viewed by anyone outside his circle of friends. No drug was put on the chip, nor was the bird harmed in anyway.”

The RSPB has condemned anyone who gives drugs to birds.

Tim Melling, senior conservation officer for RSPB north England, said: “Like with all drugs their effects differ according to body size.

“If you give something to a baby, for example, the effects would be devastating and a gull is smaller than a baby.

“Ketamine could lead to muscle paralysis, causing it to crash out of the sky which could cause it to break a leg or wing.

“It could cause loss of consciousness.

“It could fly into a car causing a road traffic accident, and the drug can cause bladder problems, all of which could cause long term effects on a bird.

“Ketamine is illegal for a reason and it’s totally irresponsible and something we strongly condemn.”