WANTON CRUELTY TIL SEAL

Press, Volume C, Issue 29402, 3 January 1961, Page 11

WANTON CRUELTY TIL SEAL

Cigarettes StufibcdOn “Sorrowful Sam** J 1 as a vUe thing to do,” ?ra d n-h he of P 7>, S ‘ de 2 t of the local branch of the Society for the f r 7 e ?‘i on Cruelty to Anfmals (Mr C. C. Lenno® today, when asked to comment nr me wanton act'of cruelty Tfmaru’s chief holiday attmauon, “Sorrowful Sam" the seal, during the early hours of Saturtiay. The seal suffered burns to the stomach, sides, and mouth when somtgrib stubbed cigarettes on his fur L 3 burnt him to the skin. Mr Lennon said there were abdst 15 burns. These had made the seal very irritable, he added. The seal was unguarded late at night and in the early hours of the morning, said Mr Lennon.

When, the bonfire was lit on the bay on New Year’s Eve, “Sorrowful Sam” was taken into the water by Mr W. Pope, one of few persons who has gained the seal’s confidence. Mr Pope then walked round the extension fol lowed by the. seal, whe would only proceed when he heard Mr Pope calling to him, until “Sorrowful Sam” was in the inner harbour.

The seal later went up to the Tjmaru Yacht Club’s slipway and slept there the night. Yesterday morning he was

"evicted” and coaxed towards the water. The seal refused to move. Mr Pope saw what was going on and shouted to the seal. “Sorrowful Sam” lifted his head, cocked to one side, dived into the water and swam towards Mr Pope who was on the Marine parade. The seal was then persuaded to return to the old slipway near the fishermen’s wharf, where he remained all day. Last evening the seal returned to the water, and at 8 p.m. was seen feeding in among the kelp. This morning he returned to the Yacht Club's yard, but could only nose the newly erected barricade. Now the seal is back in the old slipway where a close guard can be maintained.