A SEAL pup that had been savaged by dogs has been rescued off the beach at Walton on the Naze.

The three-week-old creature was spotted by a member of the public on Monday evening who alerted Thames Coastguard. Crew members and staff from Tendring District Council’s beach patrol team took him to Wildlives Rescue Centre in Thorrington.

He was found with multiple wounds where he had been attacked by dogs. He was also starving and dehydrated.

Staff at the rescue centre, who named him Daley after the British Olympic diver Tom, have helped stabilise the two-foot long pup before he was taken to the RSPCA in East Winch, Norfolk, yesterday for more treatment.

Wildlives owner Rosie Catford said: “It’s not unusual for seal pups to be abandoned by their mothers this time of year.

“They give birth in late June and a couple of weeks later they leave their young on their own. This is when they can often get in to trouble.

“When he came to us he was a very thirsty little chap and he is very underweight for his age – he should be much bigger.”