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We asked what you thought of the people who broke the law to save the seal pup trapped in a fishing net.
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 Injured Seal Caught in Net and Red Tape 5/6/08
A crowd has gathered to take a look at the baby seal caught in a fishing net at the Children's Pool in La Jolla. But federal laws prohibit anyone from helping it. Lynn Stuart has both sides of the story. |
I want to personally thank the person or persons who released this baby from certain death. Sometimes laws just don't make sense. I commend you, you did the right thing! - Judy, San Diego
I think it is ridiculous that these tree huggers will gladly violate laws they helped put into place They insist they did the right thing, yet refuse to show they're faces on TV. What they did was illegal and I hope they are found and prosecuted. - Tracy, Rancho Penasquitos
Breaking the law to save a life, regardless if it's an animal, should not be punished. We all should look out for each other. It's not a crime to save a life!! - Leslie, South San Diego
Thank God common sense reigned for the baby seal. Laws are designed to help and protect animals and that baby seal needed help. We need to get our priorities straight even if it means not following the "letter" of the law. - Christine, University Heights
I was specifically watching the news tonite in hopes there would be an update on the entangled seal. I want to say a big Thank You!! to the young men who saved the seal. I had thoughts myself of driving an hour to the beach to try the help the seal myself. It was too much to bear watching it. What is ironic is that the seals are not protected from eradication from the beach by the city. What kind of federal protection is that? If the men get in any trouble at all, please let the public know..and I would be glad to help with their fine, as I'm sure many friends of the seals would also. Thank you Fox 6 for the story. - Janis, Descanso
GOOD! I'm glad someone had the moxie to do the RIGHT thing. I spent all day today thinking about how I could get away with doing that sort of thing if nobody else did it, but I'm glad someone beat me to it. That baby seal doesn't deserve to suffer for some stupid political struggle over Children's Pool. - Jenn, El Cajon
Whatever happened to plain common sense?! You see a baby seal is going to die, you save it. You don't consult "the law." That's the decent, moral, CONSCIOUS thing to do. - Janet, Solana Beach
The men who saved this baby seal should be rewarded rather than penalized. Shame on anyone who wants to charge them with a crime! - Daniel, Bankers Hill
It would have been better if these guys had just contacted the proper authorities to get this issue resolved. There are reasons why we have laws...We all need to follow them. - Fred, Point Loma
I think it's wonderful that those men saved that animal. Yes they were taking a risk, but it was for a good reason. It's great to hear that people care so much about wildlife. More people should get involved with wildlife preservation. - Delanie, La Mesa
I think, although, Federally protected, there should be 'emergency' protocol in place which would have sent out capable ppl to free the pup vs. waiting for very humane ppl to take it into their own hands to free the pup! - Sharon, La Jolla
Whoever helped free the sea lion from the fishing net by risking harm from the traumatized animal and getting arrested for breaking a law that (ironically) was meant to protect it is a hero, not a criminal. Any attempt to prosecute this person would be a travesty. - John, El Cajon
I am so glad that some people helped to free the baby seal from the net. I think it bothered a lot of people watching the poor thing suffering like that and just leave it to die. I consider those people heros. I don't believe in doing anything to break the law but this is stupid and the law has to be changed to certain conditions. - Dina, Lakeside
One of the things I admired about California after moving here two years ago from the Southeast was their respect for the enviroment. I'm shocked that anyone would even entertain the thought of charging these men for helping free one of God's precious creatures. Shame on the Wildlife and Game commission for not helping this baby thrive!! - Laine, Encinitas
I think it is fantastic that those men risked their health to save an innocent baby seal. a law is a law but in this case I believe they did the right thing! HEROS OF THE DAY! - Carly, Encinitas
I am glad the 2 men rescued that seal as it was the humane thing to do. Law or no law, the seal would have died if they hadn't rescued it and I dont think they should be charged with a criminal offense. These men are heroes. I think this law should be revised to accommodate such extenuating circumstances as this. - Robyn, Chula Vista
I think anytime we can safely save another life, man or animal, it is our duty to do so. I am proud of the people who took the net off the baby seal and risked possible prosecution to do so. Additionally, for the woman who thought they should not do it if they did not know what they were doing, I don't know if they were experienced in what they did, but it seems as though they had a logical plan, thought it through and carried it out with success. Even if it had turned out otherwise, they should have been applauded for the attempt. What would that say about humanity if no one even tried???! ? Thank you so much for your courage and caring of that life!!! - Rene, Vista
To stand idly and do nothing to prevent the unnecessary suffering of the seal pup would have been a far greater crime. Kudos to the rescuers who exercised their common sense, compassion and courage to aid this fellow living being. - Connie, San Diego
Shame on those who would use a law meant to protect animals to allow a baby seal to suffer and die. It's pathetic and inhumane. - Christine, University Heights
I don't understand why they could send someone to jail for helping a dying animal. People do illegal things everyday, and when they try to do something good, they can get in trouble. Hypothetically, a human baby is choking, should no one but the baby's family should help? The seal was in pain, and so would that child. Millions of families and children saw the video of the baby seal aired, making people heartbroken. Children who love animals with all of their heart probably broke down into tears. I myself nearly did. I am very proud of the two men who had helped the baby seal. I think they should stand tall. - Mary Lou, San Carlos
What should have been a no-brainer for the authorities to come out immediatly and help the baby seal has turned complicated for some inane reason! Hurray for the Man with a brain and a big heart(and his Woman!)who did the humane thing and helped it. Give him a medal, and forget any minor law that may have been broken...for Gods sake, people, come on!!! Anyone who thinks differently about this situation needs THEIR head examined!!! - Cheryl, North Park
Hello I would like to give thanks to the 2 guys that rescued the seal. Obviously nobody else was doing anything to help the seal. When it comes to good judgement the law doesn't matter if it involves a living creature... People break the law for neglecting their own pets, why should a seal be any different. - Angela
I am happy that someone had the heart and the initiative to help the poor seal. It was the fault of humans in the first place the seal was in danger, so it is only fair that someone gets the little fellow out of the predicament. Bravo to the rescuers! - Melinda, Mira Mesa
I consider the men that helped the seals heroes. A true humanitarian would help both animals or a human that was in danger consequences become void. California lawmakers might need to back track and re-think some of these laws. - Johnathan, Clairemont
Why dont we just ask the seal if it wants to press charges? Why isn't this common sense? That interaction is much less likely to kill the seal than the situation (the seal) was already in. - Jason, Bankers Hill
I am very pleased that someone had the guts to save the life of the baby seal, how ridiculous to think anyone could hesitate, hopefully the men won't be punished and if they are, I'm sure enough people will back them up. - Barbara, Ranchita
I think that we should be thankful for these guys. They did the city a public service and the fact that no officials stepped in to help save the struggling seal is just a shame. Nothing should happen to these people who help saved the young pup. We, as a city, should be thankful that actions were taken. - AC, Carlsbad
Coming from a nation that EAT seals (whales taste better by the way) I am shocked that nobody here wanted to help the seal entangled in the fishing net. That would NEVER happen in Norway. We would immediately save the seal from the cruelty it was going through. Long live the double standards of morality that's so typical for USA! - Grete, La Jolla
I am sickened and ashamed of the inhumane way San Diego dealt with the plight of this baby seal. We can and should do much better. - Christine, Mandrake
I think the law is a little flawed. It is in place to protect the seals from human interference but we interfered when the fishing line got caught around it. We should be obligated to set things right by removing the fishing line and those two men should be applauded and praised!Nothing else! - Keith, Oceanside
It's true, they should not have been there and they could have hurt the seals but bottom line, they saved the baby seal. I hope that whatever officials take care of this, understand that. They're my heroes. - Maryanne,. Escondido
Thank god someone finally had the nerve to save that baby seal. Thank you for those who "got involved" and did the humane thing. - Cindy, Escondido
I think that the men who saved the seal did the absolute right thing. Sometimes common sense needs to prevail. The signs/laws are meant to keep people from harming the seals not saving one from a life threatening situation. I do have one question, however, where were SeaWorld employees to help? - Joe, Lakeside
I am thankful for the seal pup being saved. Finally, a happy ending to a terrible situation. - Rob, Kensington
I commend the men who rescued the seal pup. There are times when wrong is right and this was just that. If the seal had been left entangled its injuries would have been much worse. Also, I hope this sends a strong message that we need to dispose of any kind of netting correctly and not just dump it into the water. - Alexandra, San Diego
Simply put, it's time to revisit the law on Sea Lions and limitations on issues such as the story tonight at Children's Pool. San Diego I'm certain will not stand to just watch these sea lions suffer like this one has. If it been me, I would be willing to risk my breaking the law to save a sea lion from this horrible netting wrapped around his neck. Right is right, and the law in this matter is just plain wrong! - Cindy, Eastlake
Thanks to the guys who were brave enough to exercise their humanity to eleviate an inhumane situation. Hopefully they will be spared from prosecution. - Joyce, Carlsbad
Hi, Glad to hear the seal that was caught in the net was rescued. May God bless the person/s who took a risk to rescue the seal. It's little things that matters. - Charles, City Heights
A surfer attacker, college drug dealer and seal rescuer. Which one is not like the others? The right thing was done, and the law needs re-evaluation. - Tracy, Linda Vista
I'm happy that those guys were compassionate and helpful enough to save the seal in distress. I know that the law prohibits anyone from going near the seals, but those men rescued the baby seal from death and should be rewarded for their bravery. I'm glad that there are people out there that would lend a helping hand and put themselves at risk for an unselfish cause. I say "Thank You" to them. - Angie, San Diego
The pictures of the seal were heartbreaking. I'm glad that there are people in our community that follow their conscience and do the right thing. This particular law was clearly not meant for this situation. - Samantha, El Cajon
The guys who saved the seal should be commended by the public. To think that they could be punished for this is really outrageous. People need to think about the spirit of the law and not so much the letter of the law. - Mike, Scripps Ranch
You are making a story out of nothing. Two guys did the right thing, saved another life and caused no harm. The fact that your reporter called to "ask what kind of action against the men" would be taken if any, seems like your news is just looking to stir up things. Why draw attention to this? Let's move on folks! - Marc, Mission Hills
I commend the people who assisted in freeing the pup seal at La Jolla Cove last night!! The way I see it is this...I would rather take the risk in injuring myself or that of the seal(s) versus witnessing the "death" of the pup seal! Even if the pup seal were to be injured or rejected from his parents and would have to survive on its own it's still a better option versus reading in the headlines "Pup Seal Dies because of Lack of Compassion!" We as humans know we were at fault for littering the ocean in the first place and if this prolonged "wait" for assisting this pup was because local animal pro-activist was trying to disclaim a message to the public to not litter our public waters...it worked! Although it could have cost this pup seal its life in the interim!! - Heather, Mira Mesa
Laws are absolute, however, life's events are not. Kudos to the men who rescued the suffocating baby seal--a greater good prevailed despite its being deemed 'illegal'. - Mara, North Park
I'm glad some one stepped up and helped the baby seal! I think the law needs to be altered. I think it's crueler to stand around watching an animal die than to step in for 10 minutes to save the life of a wild animal. - Liya, Escondido
To help someone or something in need should be pardoned of law if the organization responsible doesn't step up. I'm a surfer, should I let someone drown because I'm not a certified lifeguard? - Bruce
There are plenty of laws made to be broken...and this is one of them. Polluters left that net in the ocean and some brave people broke the law to end the suffering. You have my heartfelt gratitude. - Barbara, Oceanside
Thank you to those men who saved the baby seal. It was wrong not to help it in the first place! - Margie, La Jolla
What kind of a world do we live in where felons march for rights and saving a suffering animal is a crime? What is the worst thing that could happen (to the on looking seals) as a result of this act of kindness? They might be so emotionally traumatized that they swim frantically out to sea never to return. Or maybe they sacrifice themselves to the sharks. Kudos to the two men who rescued the seal. It was painful to watch the images of it struggling. Sometimes I think the so-called do-gooders aren't so good after all. What ARE they thinking? - Dave, Lemon Grove
It was such a relief to hear that someone had enough guts to step up and do what was the right thing to do. I am so happy. Thank you! - Cindy, Ramona
Strange that the day before, a rescue person from SeaWorld came to "evaluate" the situation but did nothing, saying he was ordered not to free the animal from the net by the National Marine Fisheries Service! One wonders why so little protection is given these animals when clearly the pup was a victim of human activities. Where is the line drawn between interfering with natural processes and animal victimization of our carelessness. - Ellen, Paradise Hills
Unfortunately it is another one of those red tape issues. I understand it is the law. The city has no money as it is and now they want to pursue the men who out of the kindness of their hearts helped an animal. They did not do harm to anyone or the animal. It was a risk and it was successful. We do not need to spend any more of the cities money on something like this. There are rapist, murders and many more things that are very harmful or dangerous that we need to focus on. Life is too short we need open our eyes to what is important. - Mary
I support the law in respecting animals in their natural habitat; however, when the seal was suffering from man made materials I believe man should have intervened immediately to assist the seal from the unnatural restraint. Though the rescuers have broken the law I believe we should rethink when it is appropriate to enter into a habitat if an animal is suffering. That would be the humane thing to do. - Marilyn, Scripps Ranch
I'm glad the seal pup was saved. I applaud the ones that helped it. It was a man made problem, so "man" should have corrected the problem. I feel relieved. - Patricia, El Cajon
The people that rescued the seal pup should be rewarded for their actions. Why didn't SeaWorld act? - Steve, El Cajon
Sometimes you just do what is right. Saving that baby seal was just the right thing to do. - Meg, Rancho Penasquitos
I think that those men who cut the baby seal free should be applauded. In my mind and heart they are hereos. If you love animals how can anyone sit back and let it die. It is us humans who left the dangerous net in their way and we should help it. When we have had oil spills I have seen people on TV picking up the poor animals that have gotten covered with oil and rescuing them so what is the difference here? - Charmaigne
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