Anger after seals attacked on North East coasts
There's fury from animal charities - after a recent spate of attacks on seals on the UK's coast - including an incident in Northumberland this week
There's fury from animal charities - after a recent spate of attacks on seals on the UK's coast - including an incident in Northumberland this week
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue say the animals have been kicked, stoned and attacked by dogs - and chased into the sea by people
A team of their own medics was also verbally abused at Druridge bay on Tuesday - while trying to help a seal which had been chased by a dog
On Good Friday, there were five incidents reported to BDMLR around the country before lunchtime, the most it has ever had in such a small space of time.
Dan Jarvis, director of welfare and conservation at BDMLR, said: "It's hard to say why some people think it is OK to stone seals, drag them around by their flippers or intentionally set their dogs on them.
"Clearly they do not care about the welfare of the animal and only what they can get out of doing such cruel actions."
During the spring there are often young seals on beaches, only recently independent of their mothers, who may be more vulnerable.
Mr Jarvis added: "Some of these seal pups have actually already been weak, sick or injured and have been less able to defend themselves or escape back into the sea, which makes these attacks doubly harrowing to hear about and deal with for our team."