'Freddie' the seal badly wounded in horrific dog attack at Hammersmith Bridge
By Ellie Brown - Local Democracy Reporter
22nd Mar 2021 | Local News
Warning: the images above show graphic details of the seal's injuries.
A seal, known to Teddington residents as 'Freddie Mercury' was badly injured after being mauled by a dog at Hammersmith Bridge yesterday.
Freddie the pup was lying by a canoe slip at 12.45pm when he was set upon by the dog which did not have a lead on.
Horrified passers-by tried to help but struggled to get the dog away from the seal.
Laurence Arnold, who was at the scene of the attack, said the dog was "just going crazy."
"Someone was kicking the dog as it just wouldn't stop attacking the seal," he said.
"There were several people trying to get the dog off now, the owner was shouting at it, but it took no notice.
"The dog clamped onto the front right flipper of the seal and would not let go. I saw the seal try and turn, but the dog held on."
A person managed to get the dog away from Freddie by luring it with a stick while three people held down the distressed seal.
They included a local vet, who wrapped her jacket around the head of the seal to try and calm it as another man held onto its back.
"Freddie was really upset and lashing out" Laurence said.
Two of the people holding onto the seal were later admitted to hospital, one for face wounds and the other for leg wounds.
Laurence called the British Divers and Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) for help and held onto Freddie's flippers as the four waited.
BDMLR volunteers Mary and Laura arrived and organised the rescue.
Freddie was put in a cage and taken to a London Fire Brigade boat which took him and Laura to Tilbury Docks in London.
He was met by the team at the South Essex Wildlife Hospital and taken into their care. He has been treated by a vet and remains in hospital at the time of writing.
Laurence said: "One very touching thing...as I walked away, someone cycled up with bags from Starbucks. they had teas and coffees for the team.
"They had gone down there and bought them. It was most welcome after 2 hours or more."
He added: "I can still see the attack! I was so tired last night, but had trouble sleeping.
"We joked that we will have a reunion party after lockdown."
Freddie, a young grey harbour seal originally from the Netherlands, was a regular sight at Teddington Lock last month.
Beloved by residents, the pup was dramatically rescued by the BDMLR on February 20th after a fishing hook became stuck in his lip.
He was released on the Isle of Sheppey closer to the Thames estuary, but was back in South-West London just two weeks later.
A JustGiving page has been set up for the BDMLR, the seal's long-time rescuers, which you can see HERE
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