Fundraising Appeal Launched for Injured Seal Pup
'Freddie Mercury' attacked by dog near Hammersmith Bridge this Sunday
An appeal has been launched to raise funds for the care of a seal injured after being attacked by a dog in Barnes this Sunday (21 March).
The seal pup, who was given the name Freddie Mercury by locals after appearing a slipway near Hammersmith Bridge on several occasions, was in his usual spot when set upon at around 12.30pm.
Passers-by, including a vet who happened to be present, intervened to separate the two animals and provide care for the injured seal but not before Freddie received some serious wounds. Two of the people who helped were injured, on bitten and one butted by the seal as it panicked during the attack.
A London Fire Brigade boat was called to the scene and the seal was put in a dog cage and taken away.
He was given over to the care of a team at the British Divers Marine Life Rescue and now a crowdfunding appeal has been started to ensure his treatment can be funded.
Thankfully, Freddie was rescued due to the quick thinking of amazing people on the scene and the prompt rescue by various emergency services. He is now being treated for shock and his injuries at South Essex Wildlife hospital.
Rebecca Da Re, who started the appeal said, “We wanted to start a ‘Just Giving’ community appeal page to raise funds and thank the team there, for all of the ongoing care and protection they provide, not just to Freddie but all year around to the UK’s marine life.
“My little boy Romeo and I often visited Freddie, and he brought much needed smiles to locals and lots of positive news of the river becoming cleaner with an abundance of fish and marine life coming upstream.
“We have managed to so far raise almost £1500 in just a few hours. A fantastic community effort.
“Without the BDMLR our marine life on our local waterways wouldn’t be there and be able to thrive as they do.”
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March 22, 2021