KEY POINTS

  • A video of two dogs chasing a seal at a beach back to the water has gone viral
  • Some wildlife lovers took offense and stated that the dogs should have been held back by their owners
  • The law requires beachgoers to keep a distance of 150-feet from seals

A young seal made its way to the shore at Rockaway Beach in New York over the weekend, and two curious pooches successfully "chased" it back to the water. The seal was apparently scared based on the way it reacted whenever one of the unleashed dogs would go near it.

The marine mammal kept on barking as it hurriedly hopped towards the water. The curious canines, on the other hand, would likewise skip, hop and bark, whenever they approach the seal.

Mixed Reactions

The video elicited mixed reactions, though. Some people found the incident adorable, but wildlife lovers deemed it a bit distressing because they believe that the dogs should have been held back by their respective owners.

One wrote on the Facebook group "Best Friends of Rockaway Beach" Monday, "This poor seal was chased off of the beach by unleashed dogs this morning. DO NOT let your dogs near seals." She also added, "There is zero excuse for this."

Dogs chase seal on a beach back to the water
Dogs chase seal on a beach back to the water jornwalburg - Pixabay

A report from the New York Post revealed that Maxine Montello, a representative for the New York Marine Rescue Center, stated that the law requires beachgoers to steer clear of seals. They should keep a 150-feet distance because it is of utmost importance that the animal will not change its behavior because of human presence.

She also underscored that dogs must not be allowed to go near seals because both animals can get injured from an encounter. Added to this is the fact that the situation can be "very stressful to the seal."

Montello gave an explanation as to what transpired at Rockaway Beach that day. She narrated that the seal made its way to shore in order to rest. However, before the marine mammal could do so, the dogs came, and it got scared.

Seal Behavior

Live Science defined seals as semiaquatic mammals. They are protected in the waters of the United States under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Their diet includes fish, but they also feed on squid, octopus, and eel.

One type of seal that eats penguins and even smaller seals is the leopard seal. Seals could only have one pup a year. Females carry their young for a 10-month gestation period.

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