A seal was seriously injured on the beach of Wenduine on Thursday. The animal was bitten five times, writes De Standaard on Saturday. "Keep your dog on a lead. The number of incidents is increasing," says Inge De Bruycker of the NorthSeal team.
The volunteers of the NorthSealTeam, responsible for the safety of the seals on the Belgian coast, are sounding the alarm. This is because of yet another dog attack on a seal.
Guarding seals
The animal came to rest on the beach at Wenduine on Thursday morning. Volunteers from the NorthSealTeam were alerted to "guard" the animal or keep onlookers at a distance. On arrival, however, the seal was found to be bleeding profusely. "The animal had suffered five bite wounds on its body, forehead and muzzle", says De Bruycker.
The Sea Life Rescue Centre in Blankenberge was notified and arrived on the scene. The seal was thoroughly disinfected, cared for and eventually released into the sea. This proved to be the best solution. "Admission would only cause more stress for the animal."
From January 2024 until today, 132 seals have been stranded, compared to 52 animals in the same period last year
Meanwhile, more and more seals are ending up on Belgian beaches. "From January 2024 until today, 132 seals have been stranded, compared to 52 animals in the same period last year," says De Bruycker. That's almost a threefold increase. "These figures are separate from the seals found daily at the fixed resting places in Ostend and Nieuwpoort."
More incidents
That is why the volunteers again appeal to people to keep their pets on a lead. "The number of incidents is increasing. Seals emit a specific odour that triggers dogs," says De Bruycker. "Despite the owners' desperate attempts, the dogs always run towards the seals. It's their instinct."
Conflicts between a seal and a pet can also be dangerous for dogs. "The seal's bite is a source of bacteria. It can cause serious infections," she says. "Since the New Year, we have had a bite incident every week. We can keep telling people to keep the dog on a lead, but our message falls on deaf ears."
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