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Vet college necropsy finds seals were bludgeoned

Someone bludgeoned and killed a group of seal pups found dead on Murray Beach Sunday, according to the results of a necropsy performed this week. Submitted photo

Someone bludgeoned and killed a group of seal pups found dead on Murray Beach Sunday, according to the results of a necropsy performed this week.

Published on February 1, 2013
Published on February 1, 2013
Ryan Ross  RSS Feed
Topics :
Atlantic Veterinary College , Fisheries and Oceans Department

Someone bludgeoned and killed a group of seal pups found dead on Murray Beach Sunday, according to the results of a necropsy performed this week.

Dr. Pierre-Yves Daoust, from the Atlantic Veterinary College, said AVC staff performed a necropsy on 10 grey seal pups and all of them had severely fractured skulls.   

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There were no metal fragments found, which ruled out someone having shot them, he said.

“Therefore we are left with the very high probability that these animals were clubbed.”

A group of AVC students who were working in the area found the dead seals the day after the animals were seen alive on the beach.

Daoust said the pups would have only been a few weeks old and were still nursing.

The Fisheries and Oceans Department said earlier in the week it was investigating the incident.

 

More details to come . . .

Comments

  • Username
    GENTLE ISLAND ?
    - February 1, 2013 at 19:47:32

    By the majority of these comments , folk's in general seem to side with the idea that fishermen are responsible for this cruel , moronic slaughter.The RCMP / DFO WILL FIND the guilty and if ... that's IF they are fisher's , let's hope that as a part of their punishment they are never permitted to fish so much as a trout from a pond for the rest of their lives.

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  • Username
    woker
    - February 1, 2013 at 19:33:48

    maybe it was someone looking for some extra work...

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  • Username
    Beyond disgusted
    - February 1, 2013 at 19:06:28

    What kind of sick mind does this? I wish people in PEI wouldn't make it so easy for the rest of the country to think this province is an isolated backwater of illiterate and inbred hillbillies. I hope Fisheries Minister Ron MacKinley voices his disgust - but I won't hold my breath.

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    • Username
      Fisher
      - February 7, 2013 at 18:11:38

      Terrible comment my friend, I guess you would rather pei to get with the program and keep up with the rest of Canada's murder rate ,rape ,violent crimes ect. There is far worse things going on out there every Day then a few seals being killed. Probably in your province as well. Think before you type please !

  • Username
    Sylvia
    - February 1, 2013 at 17:50:17

    I don't think a fisherman would have done this. What concerns me is that people who would do this to animals go one more step and do it to helpless humans, those that can't defend themselves. If they would do this to a baby seal, I think they would do it to a human baby. I hope that whoever did it will be caught and punished.

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  • Username
    Piet Hein
    - February 1, 2013 at 17:45:26

    Some commenters on this story are upset that the community is being blackened by this act of cruelty. If that is the way the community feels then it is incumbent on it to do all it can to hold those responsible to account. If the community does not do this then maybe the accusations are accurate.

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    • Username
      Jamie MacKay
      - February 1, 2013 at 19:34:22

      No, it is up to law enforcement to find them, charge them, and if found guilty in a court of law, a judge will hold them to account. Vigilantism is illegal, sir. In all seriousness, this was done after dark. It's also a rather secluded area, especially this time of year. It's not like the perpetrator(s) has been shouting his/hers/their guilt from the rooftops. You seem to have all the answers. Why don't you come out from behind your silly screen name, take a drive down here, and solve the big mystery for us? Also, how do you know that it was someone from the community? I live near Murray Harbour/Beach Point and I certainly don't know that at this stage. I can guess, but honestly, I have no idea. Neither do you, so until an arrest is made you should stop making accusations that you have no way of proving.

  • Username
    Fisher
    - February 1, 2013 at 17:41:26

    Fisher February 1, 2013 at 17:29:03 I am a fisherman from this area and i am pro seal hunt. Before you all smash your computer screens in rage that doesn't mean I am for this act in any way. I am not about killing animals for fun and nobody else should either. But would also like to point out that no fisherman from this area went down to the shore and killed a bunch of seal pups so they can catch a few more lobsters next year. It just didn't happen. It doesnt make sence !! These few seals would have absolutely no affect on anyones catch alive or dead!! But it's nice you all jump to conclusions so fast especially you (really ? ) as I sit in Alberta witch I do every winter (working) not on my couch on EI. I Love how people these days will comment on anything even if they don't have the slightest clue about the topic/area/people in it. Yup go ahead Sit behind that screen and call people down who you know noyhing about, your no better then the people with the clubs. Piet Hein i cant even begin to rip your idiotic comment apart. Get a life !! Or even some facts if you can't help letting the rest of the world know your 2 cents !!!

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    • Username
      Piet Hein
      - February 1, 2013 at 17:56:35

      Fisher, get a grip. I did not blame fishermen for this. I did not blame any group or person for it. I merely said that whoever did this must be held to account. You claim to be a fisherman and do not condone this type of cruelty so hopefully other fishermen will feel the same way and help to find who is responsible. The whole community including fishermen have to help bring these people before the law if they do not want to lumped in with those who killed the seals. By the way, what facts don't we know? The seals had their skulls smashed in and left to die. What extenuating circumstances could there be?

  • Username
    Robert Feature
    - February 1, 2013 at 17:38:39

    If I was one of those responsible for this cruelty I would be a bit nervous right about now and would wonder if the next knock on the door is the RCMP or maybe DFO. They miscalculated the depth of revulsion most people feel about these killings and even the veterinarian who did the necropsy said this should never happen and those responsible must be found. It has made the national news unlike the recent fox killing did so there will be added pressure to find the killers. Some people in the area know who is responsible if the community wants to keep its good name then they should step forward.

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  • Username
    Disgusted
    - February 1, 2013 at 17:30:42

    There is not a doubt in my mind that whoever did this will be caught. This is a disgusting, thoughtless, cruel act. There should be severed penalties for this when they are found. Someone, somewhere knows about this and will hopefully do the right thing and come forward with information.

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  • Username
    Sage
    - February 1, 2013 at 17:30:41

    Incomprehensible! Whoever did this evil deed & it is evil has to be found & punished. I don't mean a slap on the hand either. Jail time needs to be enforced here. For God's sake do not let these people get away with this cowardly act! Someone on this Island know's who did this, have the decencey to come forward & let justice come to those who deserve to be punished.

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  • Username
    Piet Hein
    - February 1, 2013 at 17:26:05

    Some good ol' boys from the area who have watched one too many Swamp People figured they would buy a two-four of Alpine and slaughter some seals. It is obvious they have problems and are of really low intelligence and have by now probably bragged about this all over town so it is up to the people in the area to come forward. This is not the seal hunt. These are some yahoos who deliberately visited pain and suffering on animals and now must be held accountable. The other morons who killed the fox with a snowmobile several years ago thought they were real men so bragged about it and that was their downfall. Hopefully that is what will happen here.

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    • Username
      Jamie MacKay
      - February 1, 2013 at 19:21:12

      I'm from the community, sir, and I can tell you that no one has been going around bragging about it, kind of like when someone commits other serious crimes that they could go to jail for. They have a tendency to keep quiet for reasons of self-preservation. It is now up to law enforcement to find whomever did this. If the public can help, great, but the onus isn't on the people in the area to come forward when no one has "bragged about this all over town". BTW, how do you know they are "good ol' boys from the area", drink Alpine, watch "Swamp People", and are of low intelligence? Oh, right, because you're "Piet Hein" (and I'm actually Sir Francis Drake). Just FYI, some of the most sadistic people in history were actually of fairly high intelligence: Hitler, Goebbels, Nero, Stalin, Mao, etc. I think you were just out to paint the people of Murray Harbour as a bunch of beer-chugging hicks, while hiding behind your silly screen name.

  • Username
    lester
    - February 1, 2013 at 17:23:23

    So where is the Minister of Fisheries MacKinley on this!! He always has lots to say on everything else.

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  • Username
    Disgusted
    - February 1, 2013 at 16:54:22

    Like most people, I am disgusted by this incident. The people who did this should be sent to jail for a long period of time for this slaughter. If these poor seals were killed because they eat fish then hopefully no wild animals go on these people's property or else they may also be killed. It is incidents like this that put some humans lower than most animals in terms of intelligence. These are living creatures and are entitled to live as much as humans are.

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    • Username
      SICKENED
      - February 4, 2013 at 13:44:49

      We have just moved to the Gentle Island, did we make a mistake? We are so upset about this senseless act of cruelty, I hope these people are caught and severely punished

  • Username
    clam
    - February 1, 2013 at 16:31:29

    I hope they catch the people who are behind this.A slap on the wrist is not the answer.The judges have to come down hard on these people.Not that i don't believe in the seal hunt i do,just done the right way i do

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  • Username
    wally meagher
    - February 1, 2013 at 16:00:50

    So Sad. Now would be a good time for the animal rights groups to put up sizable reward to anynoe that gives these momsters up.

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  • Username
    They'll Get Caught
    - February 1, 2013 at 16:00:49

    Criminal Profile: There is someone in the area who's been complaining a lot about the seals eating the fish. They obviously fish. They likely have bragged in the past about doing such things. They have no feelings and no respect for living things. To those living in the area: Shouldn't be too hard to figure out who it is and then, for God sake, don't just sit on it. Speak up! Someone who would do this does not have the right to taint the Island reputation this way and make things even worse than they already are. The seal hunt looks bad enough but this is unforgivable.

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  • Username
    concernedislander
    - February 1, 2013 at 15:48:37

    Such ah sad thing too see certainly somebody or some people were not thinking to act like this,as always with out knowing who is resposible for this people are quick too assume it was local fisherman just because its been an on going conflick over the years about the seal hunt and then some go as far too think the people in the area encourage such behavor ,no wonder our little island is being torn appart by the Federal Government, Harper can easly see the jealousy amongst the people,im sure if people could pull there heads out off there behinds they would realize there are few fisherman on the island and in the particular area welcome such behavor.

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  • Username
    spud
    - February 1, 2013 at 15:07:02

    Some poor fisherman will catch 20lbs more of lobster because of this slaughter hope there happy!!!!!!!!!!

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  • Username
    Felt Hat
    - February 1, 2013 at 14:58:32

    Some people have no sense. There are countless things wrong with people who do things like this.

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  • Username
    JUDAS
    - February 1, 2013 at 14:37:10

    Re: JESUS C , so you think it's good work ... so you condone something that's illegal because that's what this is,it against the law which leads me to believe that YOU break the law when YOU see fit ,any truth to that ? It's also interesting how you tie the fishing industry into this which also leads me to speculate that you think ( or know ) Island fisherman may be responsible for this crime.If that's the case not a bright P.R. move on their part is it considering many already look at Island fisherman in a bad light . Perhaps you through your flippant remarks have thrown Island fisher's under the bus and you've painted all with the same brush .We'll let Fisheries and the Mounties figure this one out . In the mean time thanks for the tip Judas.

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  • Username
    Islander
    - February 1, 2013 at 14:31:13

    Shame on the residents of Murray Harbour/River who condone this barbaric act. You're an embarrassemet to the rest of the island.

    Submit a comment

    • Username
      Moe
      - February 1, 2013 at 16:18:54

      So everyone in Murray harbour/river is guilty of clubbing and killing these poor seals because they live in the same community where it happened? How about we widen the gap here "Islander". You are from PEI and this act of violence happened on PEI so you should be ashamed of yourself. YOU are the embarassment to everyone.

  • Username
    Gone National
    - February 1, 2013 at 14:14:59

    It's gone national now. Was on the cbc national news this a.m. Just the kind of publicity we need here. These idiots, no sadists, should be found and prosecuted. If found guilty, jail time. No slap on the risk like that fox killing incident last yr. And Jesus C, you certainly don't live up to your moniker with those kind of comments. If you can't see that what happened was a despicably cruel act, I'd do some serious thinking. At least change your pseudonym.

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  • Username
    Kevin
    - February 1, 2013 at 14:14:14

    Seals eating fish??? Imagine that! Why aren't they eating Big Macs and KD like the rest of society??? How dare they eat the food that God put on this earth for them to eat!!! Seals eating fish!! How ridiculous! (Sarcasm ) for those who are too ignorant to understand this! The guilty party(s) will have to live with this the rest of their lives and should consider themselves morally corrupt!

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  • Username
    Lori Matters
    - February 1, 2013 at 13:50:27

    Ashamed and Outraged! What a cowardly act by complete idiots . We need to have some laws changed here .Fishemen should lose their privledge to fish if they are responsible for this!! Huge fines and jail time if they are caught . They do not respect life and only understand the almighty dollar so fine them!! Take away the fishing vessel . Against the seal hunt and the murder of innocent animals by loathsome cowards!

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    SAP
    - February 1, 2013 at 13:43:01

    Sad and strange. Without debating the seal hunt, why be both cruel and wasteful? If they are caught humanely, and used, at least there would be reason to this. As it is, this is just senseless violence.

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  • Username
    How could you
    - February 1, 2013 at 13:38:31

    How could someone do this its like any animal they are helpless I hope they catch the person or persons that did this what a sin. Just down right sickening should be a shamed of your selves. How about we take you out back and beat you with a bat. See how you like it

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  • Username
    Crazies out there
    - February 1, 2013 at 12:11:59

    What is wrong with these people?

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Keir
    - February 1, 2013 at 12:11:13

    The seal hunt is one thing; I am not a fan, but I can at least understand that it is a business. But this, to club baby seals for fun? Someone is deeply troubled. I hope they are caught and prosecuted . Very strictly prosecuted.

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  • Username
    Jesus C
    - February 1, 2013 at 12:06:26

    Just think of the thousands of fish that wont be eaten by these seals. All of those fish can now be caught by local fisherman. good work.

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    • Username
      UPSET
      - February 1, 2013 at 13:30:33

      There are proper ways to "humanely" control species over population. This is not one of them. I'm surprised at comments by "Jesus C" as well as his choice of "codename" is not a comment our Lord & Saviour would use in his teachings.

    • Username
      Really?
      - February 1, 2013 at 13:57:09

      If this was a necessary seal hunt (which is unlikely) then there are more humane ways than to fracture the skulls of baby cubs which aren't even big enough to feed on fish yet. Maybe if some of those local fishermen had jobs YEAR ROUND and not drawing EI 8 months of the year they would be too busy making an honest living to care about killing seal cubs.

    • Username
      Idiot Jesus C
      - February 1, 2013 at 14:32:14

      Are you the culprit? Wouldn't shock me in the least. Your a disgusting person for posting that cruel comment. And there is enough fish to go around for all...just saying.

    • Username
      James and John
      - February 1, 2013 at 15:08:12

      We won't be following you.

    • Username
      Kris
      - February 1, 2013 at 16:10:40

      Wow JESUS C maybe they should be questioning you... It is one thing to kill for food, survival or necessity but to kill an animal for no god damned reason it makes me sick.

    • Username
      Lori Matters
      - February 1, 2013 at 16:12:35

      Good Work? I wonder who would really make a statement like this ? Perhaps the coward that was responsible maybe?

  • Username
    JonJon
    - February 1, 2013 at 11:55:52

    I am sad. I don't about some people. How do they live with themselves.

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  • Username
    Just The Facts
    - February 1, 2013 at 11:55:11

    I am outraged by this slaughter. No animal should be purposely killed unless it is to be eaten for nourishment and utilized for clothing. This was a frenzied bloodbath by a bunch of ignorant yahoos. Someone knows who did this. In the name of common decency they should spill the beans to the authoriities. Those convicted must be punished to the fullest extent of the law. This barbaric act reflects so poorly on all Prince Edward Islanders and that is extremely unfortunate.

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  • Username
    SICK PEOPLE
    - February 1, 2013 at 11:51:22

    Sick people. Anyone who would hurt any kind of animal even in the smallest ways, has something sick running through their head and could possibly lead to bigger crimes.. including murder of humans. I hope this sick freak is found and given the maximum sentence.

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  • Username
    Happy in Cornwall
    - February 1, 2013 at 11:46:40

    I am not happy !!!!!!! Start looking for someonewho was always complaining about the seals eating the fish around there and the culpits will not be too far away. You would think that they put all those fish in the water. NO THEY DIDN'T !!!!!!!

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  • Username
    Crystal
    - February 1, 2013 at 11:43:03

    This is an outrage. I hope they find the person(s) who done this. Sick individuals .

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  • Username
    WayneDrops
    - February 1, 2013 at 11:36:20

    In today's society, the equation is as follows: seal pups > conceived human babies

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  • Username
    Jazzy
    - February 1, 2013 at 11:34:32

    I really hope they find the person(s) responsible for this slaughter. It is beyond me how anyone can do something like this to defenseless animals. It's unfortunate that there are barbaric people living on this gentle Island.

    Submit a comment

    • Username
      Jenn
      - February 1, 2013 at 15:19:01

      This is no 'gentle island' and they should stop referring to it as such. It's been proven time and time again and it should not be represented as that to tourists. I hope the culprit is caught.

  • Username
    Pam
    - February 1, 2013 at 11:12:48

    I certainly hope someone comes forward & reports this bunch of idiots & someone is charged!

    Submit a comment

  • Username
    Brenda
    - February 1, 2013 at 11:11:05

    Someone knows who did this. Please for the love of God turn these people in. Pups were a few weeks old and nursing. Cruel act of a disturbed individual .

    Submit a comment

    • Username
      Fisher
      - February 1, 2013 at 16:27:49

      I am a fisherman from this area and i am pro seal hunt. Before you all smash your computer screens in rage that doesn't mean I am for this act in any way. I am not about killing animals for fun and nobody else should either. But would also like to point out that no fisherman from this area went down to the shore and killed a bunch of seal pups so they can catch a few more lobsters next year. It just didn't happen. It doesnt make sence !! These few seals would have absolutely no affect on anyones catch alive or dead!! But it's nice you all jump to conclusions so fast especially you (really ? ) as I sit in Alberta witch I do every winter (working) not on my couch on EI. I Love how people these days will comment on anything even if they don't have the slightest clue about the topic/area/people in it. Yup go ahead Sit behind that screen and call people down who you know noyhing about, your no better then the people with the clubs. Get a life !! Or even some facts if you can't help letting the rest of the world know your 2 cents !!!

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