'Horrifying' seal deaths linked to plastic toys

A group protecting Atlantic grey seals has called on coastal shops to stop selling plastic toys after noticing a rise in animal deaths.

Clair Murgatroyd, of the Yorkshire Seal Group, said seeing seals caught in flying plastic rings had become a common sight.

He added that they often “died a slow, painful death” after becoming trapped around their necks.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has agreed to raise awareness of the risks these items pose to wildlife.

The idea was put forward by Liberal Democrat councillor Jayne Phoenix, who represents Bridlington North.

Ms Phoenix, 62, said she believed something had been done to prevent seal deaths on the east coast of Yorkshire.

“Some major retailers have already stopped stocking plastic items,” he said.

Ms Phoenix said she wanted independent retailers in places like Bridlington, located near the beach, to also stop selling the items.

“In the last five years, 30 dead seals have been found with plastic rings around their necks,” he added.

Ms Murgatroyd said she had delivered letters to independent shops on the Yorkshire coast warning them of the dangers to seals.

“I went to a store in Scarborough and spoke to the manager about the situation, they were horrified.

A few days later I came back and the store had taken them off the shelves,” he added.

Ms Murgatroyd said she hoped more stores would follow suit.

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‘Horrifying’ seal deaths linked to plastic toys