Baby seals torn apart on Northland beach | Northland News | Local News in Northland

by Andr? Hueber

Police and animal-control officers are hunting a pack of dogs that ate alive 19 seal pups on a Far North beach.

The slaughter took place on two separate occasions last week, and an autopsy showed the seals were savaged while still alive.

Department of Conservation Kaitaia manager Jonathan Maxwell said his staff had checked the seals at Shipwreck Bay, Ahipara, just an hour before the attack.

"We got a phone call from a member of the public saying several dogs were attacking four fur seals," he said.

"The seals were flapping about and the dog owner tried to stop his dogs, unsuccessfully. He attempted to put the seals out of their misery by smashing a rock on their heads."

A day later, 15 seal carcasses, some half eaten, were discovered further south at Tauroa Point. Mr Maxwell said an autopsy on four of the carcasses showed heavy haemorrhaging and bruising, proving they were eaten while still alive.

It would have been a painful and traumatic death, he said.

A Tauroa kaumatua held a ceremony on the beach while the seals were buried.

DOC is now patrolling the area with Far North District Council animal control officers.

To prosecute a dog owner, the dog had to be caught in the act and linked back to its owner.

"That isn't always the easiest task," Mr Maxwell said.

Tauroa Point was a popular spot for seals before they were almost wiped out in about 1900.

"They're starting to return to the area in larger numbers now. There were around 20-30 seals at Tauroa Point alone this year and up to 100 in the area."

The seals bred in the South Island and came north to feed and sunbathe. Weaning seal pups were coming ashore exhausted by the strong westerlies.

He said the Ahipara community was mortified by the killings.

"Lots of people are thrilled at the return of the seals. People love being able to go for a walk amongst pristine wildlife ... We all need to understand that dogs have a serious impact on wildlife and that seals have a space and a place as well."

Far North District Council spokesman Rick McCall said animal-control staff were working with police and DOC in a bid to track down the dogs, and a campaign had been launched to locate unregistered and stray dogs in the Shipwreck Bay area.

Any dogs caught attacking seals could be destroyed immediately and the owner prosecuted under the Marine Mammals Act.