Maybe You Shouldn't Have Just Stood Guard..?

Police were forced to protect a dying seal on a beach as crowds hurled stones at it in its final moments.

The seal died just hours after officers attended the scene in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk to guard it on Tuesday.

Some people were spotted throwing stones at the grey seal, while parents were seen taking pictures of their children alongside the dying mammal.

Maybe you should have arrested a few of the ghouls and morons? 

Or some of the grandstanding idiots who claim to 'help wildlife' (as long as it's not too inconvenient for them, of course): 

Daniel Goldsmith, chairman of Marine Wildlife Rescue, attended the scene.

"Upon arriving we realised that we needed to euthanize the seal, which would be the most humane course of action.

"We needed to do it as soon as possible, otherwise it would end up at sea and its suffering would be prolonged. The crowds that had gathered made it difficult to do this safely."

Really? Why? The police were there standing guard, weren't they? 

"We contacted Great Yarmouth Borough Council in order to assist with the removal of the seal after it was euthanised but they said they could not do so without advanced notice. We hoped to return later that day so the crowds would be quieter and hoped that the council would help then."

Wait, what? You knew the animal needed to be euthanised then and there. Why didn't you do it, instead of whining about 'crowds'..?

"Unfortunately they still couldn't. We returned at 4.30pm and the seal eventually went back into the sea, where it was seen floating limply but was not really swimming.

"It may take several days or weeks for a seal in this state to die and will likely turn up elsewhere along the coast in a poor state."

Well, yes, because you let it! And no, the council isn't on the hook for that, you are! 

Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: "We received a call yesterday from a man who was on his way to Yarmouth to potentially put down a seal that had been found on Yarmouth beach.

"We were happy to assist and advised that the council could collect it from the beach once it was dead, but not before as the council does not handle live animals.

"The council advised we would be able to collect the dead animal the following morning. Normal council policy is for collection of animals within 24 to 48hrs, dependant on their location and how easy the access is to the site."

Someone needs to ask some hard questions of Mr Goldsmith. The behaviour of the spectators has drawn all the media attention. He should be getting some, too.