DOG walkers in Pensarn have rushed to the aid of an injured seal.

Concerns were raised for the wellbeing of the lone seal pup on the morning of Thursday, January 16, after the animal was spotted alongside its mother being pelted with rocks by a group of youths the previous evening.

Abergele residents David Hoyle was among those who managed to calm the agitated seal following a call for help from wife and wife Leanne Hailwood-Hoyle's father Stephen Hailwood.

Mr Hoyle said: “When we got down there, we briefly spoke to a man walking three huskies who had seen the seal and its mum the night before being attacked by a group of youths. He said he had told them to stop and they basically told him to do one and carried on hurling rocks. When we got to the beach we saw my father in law stood by a car on the bike path

“So I went down to see if I could do anything to help the poor thing.”

When Mr Hoyle got closer to the pup, he noticed a nasty wound to the side of its face as well as “numerous little chips” on tis skin from the impact of the rocks.

With the seal was Tony Roberts, of the North Wales Canine Hydrotherapy centre in Pensarn, who used a lead as an impromptu muzzle in preparation for moving the animal to his car.

Mr Hoyle added: "After numerous attempts to keep it calm we decided the best thing would be to remove it from the beach so we decided to try and take it to the guy's car."

The group used towels to subdue the seal, with Mr Hoyle managed to get one over its head and eyes and before moving it to Mr Roberts’ car to await the RSCPA.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: "Members of the public contacted us after a poor seal pup was spotted - very lethargic and dry - some distance from the sea.

"RSPCA Cymru has collected the seal pup, which is now safely at specialist wildlife facilities for rehabilitation and care; with injuries being monitored and assessed.

"This seal clearly needed our help and we thank those people who alerted us to its plight, any anyone wishing to make more information available to us can always contact our 24-hour emergency line.

"Generally it's not unusual to see a seal pup by itself, as their mothers will leave them alone very early on in life. If a member of the public finds a seal pup that looks fit and healthy and shows no signs of distress, we advise monitoring first from a safe distance for 24 hours.

“However, if the mother doesn’t return after 24 hours or the pup appears distressed, injured or unwell, or is on a busy public beach, our 24-hour emergency line can be reached on 0300 1234 999. People should stay at a safe distance and keep dogs well away, as seals can have a very nasty bite.”