Freddie the seal had to be put down after being mauled by ‘sweet dog’
THE dog that mauled Freddie Mercury the seal to death is apparently ‘a friendly pet,’ according to a neighbour of his owner.
Rebecca Sabben-Clare, 49, a top barrister who lives in Barnes, has admitted to being the owner of the terrier dog named Toby which fatally mauled Freddie on the banks of the Thames near Hammersmith Bridge.
In a report by The Mirror, a neighbour of the QC’s in the wealthy part of South West London said Toby was a ‘sweet dog.’
They told the paper he was “not a cross breed and not an aggressive dog.”
They added: “He has no history of this and is super sweet with our dogs.
“I don’t know the breed. But she (Rebecca) is a nice person. It could happen to anyone.”
Ms Sabben-Clare is said to have ‘looked genuinely shocked and traumatised’ after her pet committed the act.
Freddie has since had to be put down by vets after suffering a broken flipper in the attack by the river in Barnes on Sunday March 21 since he could not be released back into the wild given the seriousness of his injuries.
Ms Sabben-Clare has apologised saying she was ‘heartbroken’ at Freddie’s loss.
Freddie the Seal, who had been entertaining West Londoners for two weeks after swimming up the Thames from the Netherlands, has now been put to rest.
Lawyers for Ms Sabben-Clare have said both the RSPCA and police have told her no offence had been committed.
Speaking to the Evening Standard, Ms Sabben-Clare said: “I apologise unreservedly for what happened.
“In hindsight I wish, of course, that the dog had been on a lead but at the time that did not seem necessary.
“I am hugely grateful to all those who helped at the scene. They were heroic.”
Social media has been flooded with opinions regarding the attack, which has left many upset and angry. Some branded Toby’s owner irresponsible, while others had more sympathy for the barrister.
Tributes have since been left at the spot where Freddie was attacked.