Residents of Portugal Cove-St. Phillips are expressing shock after a seal – which had been lounging on some ice at the marina – was shot and killed on Monday evening.
Tammy Shea posted videos of two seals relaxing on the ice earlier in the day.
However, things took a dark turn when Shea took her daughter Lydia to see them later in the day.
The mother and daughter didn’t actually see the seal shot, but Lydia describes coming across a man who appeared to have the dead animal in a bag.
Tammy and Lydia Shea (submitted)
She says she saw the man, who had the seal in a clear plastic bag. When the man noticed her, he tried to hide the bag so she couldn’t see it. Lydia says he tried to slam his trunk, but it didn’t close. She yelled, “you didn’t close it all the way” to which the man got out of his vehicle, closed the trunk, and then drove away.
Lydia describes seeing the blood on the ice and footprints to the place where the animal was apparently killed.
She was shaken by the event.
“I was watching it, and I just felt so traumatized, like, he ruined my moment to actually see a seal in person.”
Photo via Facebook
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary confirm that they were called to the wharf around 9:00 Monday night.
They are investigating it as a firearms-related incident, noting that DFO would be responsible for any possible sealing violations.
They say the suspect is described as being a young man wearing dark clothes, and was driving a car.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the RNC or Crime Stoppers.
The seal that was on the beach (photo submitted)
