RSPCA can't investigate Oxford-educated QC whose dog mauled Freddie the Seal to death as 'no offence committed'

THE RSPCA have said they can’t investigate the Oxford-educated lawyer who watched her dog maul beloved Freddie the Seal to death – as “no offence had been committed”. 

Rebecca Sabben-Clare, 49, will not face a probe from the animal welfare charity after her dog attacked Freddie near Hammersmith Bridge on Sunday.

Shocking pictures showed the cross-bred latched on to the seal’s flipper as walkers and cyclists, including a vet, rushed to his aid on the banks of the River Thames. 

Freddie the seal, named after Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, was put down on Monday a day after the lunchtime attack.

The RSCPA said today it can only investigate offences under the Animal Welfare Act, which involves cruelty to animals. 

They stressed the police must investigate offences involving dangerous dogs. 

'DEEPLY SADDENED'

The RSPCA said: “We are deeply saddened by what happened to Freddie and this highlights why it is important to keep dogs on leads around wild animals.

“We investigate animal welfare offences. Dog attacks on animals would become an animal welfare offence if it was done deliberately. 

“If no offences have been committed under the Animal Welfare Act we are unable to take incidents further. Offences involving dogs out of control are investigated by the police.”

They added: “In this instance, we spoke to the owner and as this was not a case of deliberate cruelty, it is not an offence we would investigate.

“The police are continuing to look into this and we are happy to assist them if needed.”

The Met Police confirmed on Tuesday they are investigating the death and looking to speak to the dog's owner.

However, The Sun understands that police have since told Ms Sabben-Clare no offence was committed.

The owner of a dog who attacks farm animals can be fined up to £1,000, rising to £2,500 if the offence is deliberate. 

Similar fines apply to attacks on wild animals – but offences related to hunting can see penalties of up to £5,000 imposed. 

A dog is considered ‘dangerously out of control’ if it injures someone or there are grounds to fear it will injure someone. 

Freddie earned the affectionate nickname after entertaining walkers on the bank of the Thames for weeks.

The law on dog attacks

It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control, and owners could get an unlimited fine or be jailed for up to six months.

• Owners must not allow their dog to be dangerously out of control in a public place, a private place (such as a garden or neighbour's house) or in the owner's home.
• A dog is considered seriously out of control if it injures someone or makes them worried that they could be injured.
• A court may decide a dog is out of control if it attacks someone's animal.

And locals reacted furiously after his killing, with one writing: "#freddietheseal people who own dogs that attack people/wildlife should be banned from owning pets for life, first a dear in Richmond park, now a poor seal in Hammersmith, when will it stop?

"When a child dies? Will they just fine the owner and move on? This needs to be fixed.”

Craig Oliver, David Cameron's former director of communications, wrote: "So sad to hear that the beautiful seal that took up residence near Hammersmith Bridge had to be put down after being savaged by a dog.

"There were signs up asking dog walkers to keep them on leads." 

Ms Sabben-Clare studied at New College Oxford and was named a leading English silk in the 2021 Legal 500 Directory. 

She is now a specialist in commercial law who is described as "incredibly bright" and "very talented".

Ms Sabben-Clare was said to be “distraught and distressed” as she attempted to pull her dog away from the seal during the attack, The Times reports.

A witness added: “I think she was very upset. She was trying to pull the dog off but this dog wasn’t letting go."

British Divers Marine Life Rescue said last night: "We are all devastated at the loss of ‘Freddie’ today.

"So many people tried to help him but his injuries were too severe.

"Marine mammal experts were consulted but all ended with the same conclusion, he was put to sleep late this afternoon."

A photographer who was taking pictures of Freddie when the attack happened said it was “vicious”.

Duncan Phillips, 55, told MyLondon: “The dog just wouldn't let go.

"It wouldn't let go despite repeated attempts by members of the public to separate the animals.”

The vet who came to the seal's aid was bitten three times by terrified Freddie while trying to hold him.

A male cyclist was “headbutted” by the seal as he tried to hold him still.

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