Seal Freddie put to sleep after savage attack by dog
A SEAL beloved by walkers for his appearances on the banks of the river Thames has been put down after he was attacked by a dog.
Rescuers said there was no way to save the severely injured youngster, nicknamed Freddie Mercury.
The common seal was found to have a fractured flipper and dislocated joint when he was brought to South Essex Wildlife Hospital after the mauling in Barnes, west London.
Consultations with specialist marine and orthopaedic vets revealed that the prognosis was ‘extremely poor’.
‘At this stage we believe the only ethical and fair option we have is to end his suffering,’ said the hospital, which urged people to keep pets under control.
British Divers Marine Life Rescue confirmed the action, adding: ‘We are all absolutely gutted to hear about the extent of the injuries Freddie suffered. It highlights yet again the serious problems that can arise when humans and dogs encounter wild animals.
‘We hope that his story will go a long way to helping educate people to look up and follow the appropriate guidelines for how to behave respectfully around wild animals and not cause disturbance or worse to them.’
The hospital said Freddie was not the only seal it has had to treat, adding: ‘Please folks do not go near seals and always, always, keep dogs on leads and under control.’
Common or harbour seals can often be spotted along the river – with the Zoological Society of London’s Thames Marine Mammal Survey reporting 117 sightings this year.