The female seal was spotted swimming in St Helens watersA female seal was put down after she was found to be 'dehydrated and severely emaciated'A female seal was put down after she was found to be ‘dehydrated and severely emaciated'(Image: Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron)

A seal that was spotted swimming in a canal has been euthanised after it was found to be “dehydrated and severely emaciated”, the RSPCA confirmed.

Last week, a female adult seal was spotted swimming in the Sankey Canal, Newton-le-Willows, and ending up around the Havannah Flashes between Newton, Haydock, and Parr.

While seals usually live in saltwater environments, they can swim considerable distances inland in search of food or due to disorientation. Often, the animals can end up inland when they are sick, elderly or coming to their natural end.

Many locals reported concerns about the seal’s welfare, and rumours also circulated that “children and young adults” had been throwing stones and “attacking” the seal.

In an update issued on Monday Newton-le-Willows East Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron, said the seal was still alive but is “not in good condition”.

He added that following a visit from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, it was decided that the animal was old and “likely on its way out”, therefore “not viable and would cause more stress [to attempt a rescue by them]”.

Jay Scott, a volunteer for the WWR Wings Wildlife and Bird Rescue group, said the seal drew lots of attention and was “attacked by children and injured”.

The rescue group said they pleaded with people to stay away until the seal was eventually rescued in a joint response from Merseyside Police, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and the RSPCA.

The RSPCA said the seal was found to be “dehydrated and severely emaciated”. A vet recommended the “kindest course” of action was to put the seal down.

An RSPCA spokesperson said: “Late [on Monday, April 14] a vet, along with an RSPCA officer and the fire brigade, went to a stretch of water in the Haydock area of St Helens to look at a female adult seal which had been seen in the local area.

“The seal was extremely lethargic and made no attempt to swim away from people at the scene.

“She was examined by the vet and sadly found to be dehydrated and severely emaciated.

“The vet recommended the kindest course of action was to put the seal to sleep to prevent further suffering and this was quickly carried out by her, in-situ.

“This was a sad outcome for this very poorly seal but we’d like to thank the vet and the fire brigade for assisting us and working very late into the night.”