Seal saved from attack

This seal pup was saved by a passer-by when it was attacked by a dog at North Beach on Friday.

Local resident Mara McCormick who took the photo of the seal said it appeared not to be too stressed by its ordeal.

Ms McCormick said the passer-by told her that the dog had dragged the seal pup to the sand dunes. She then scared the dog to release the seal, which then made its way back to the water line.

Ms McCormick and the passer-by then guarded the seal for about two hours until it had recovered enough to make its way back into the water to safety.

"The wee pup had little pink marks on its flippers,'' she said.

They called the Department of Conservation which advised them it was not uncommon for seal pups to end up on the beach after being weaned from their mothers.