The dog owner said she is “heartbroken” by the attack
The lawyer whose dog fatally attacked Freddie the seal will not face any criminal charges, Metropolitan police have confirmed.
The playful seal, who was nicknamed ‘Freddie Mercury’, suffered life-threatening injuries on Sunday after being attacked by a lawyer’s dog near Hammersmith Bridge in London. Freddie the seal was sadly put down by vets on Monday due to his serious injuries.
The dog owner attempted to pull her pet off the seal, but it was sadly too late as the 10-month-old seal pup had already suffered from serious injuries.
A witness, Runa Bousquet, told the Chiswick Calendar: “I was there when the dog started running towards the seal. To be honest, to be fair to the dog owner, they were a good 800 metres away.
“It literally clamped its jaws onto the poor seal and didn’t let go”.
She added: “The poor seal was very distressed, twisting and turning its flippers.”
The 49-year-old barrister, Rebecca Sabben-Clare, has publicly apologised for the terrible incident.
She told the Evening Standard: “I am heartbroken by this terrible accident.
“As an animal lover, I fully understand the dismay that has been expressed. 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.”
Ms Sabben Clare said she made a donation to the hospital that cared for Freddie the seal.
The Met Police said: “Police have investigated the death of a seal after it was injured by a dog on the River Thames near Hammersmith Bridge.
“Officers attended the location at approximately 12:39 hours on Sunday 21 March along with colleagues from the London Fire Brigade.”
The police said that the young seal pup was taken to a rescue centre for treatment but had to later be put down by vets.
“Following the investigation there will be no further criminal investigation or action taken by police in regards to this matter. The owner of the dog has been informed.”
People have taken to social media to express their sadness at Freddie the seal’s death.
One person said on Twitter: “A tragic little tribute to #FreddieMercury the seal at his old hang out by the Thames at Barnes.”
A tragic little tribute to #FreddieMercury the seal at his old hang out by the Thames at Barnes. #freddietheseal #seal #thamesseal #freddie pic.twitter.com/1vMJAvzrGa
— David Friend (@David_Friend01) March 23, 2021
Another said: “RIP Freddie.”
RIP Freddie #freddietheseal pic.twitter.com/FdlDxZIpmh
— Joe Richardson (@jjwrichardson) March 22, 2021
