Liverpool ice rink gets ‘seal' of approval

A young grey seal was released back to the water, on 30 November 2016, after straying to an ice rink at Liverpool's Pierhead.

Members of the public 1st spotted the cheeky critter, on Tuesday, 29 November 2016, and again at around 8.30am, on 30 November 2016, after he had found his way behind the ice rink.

The seal had strayed to the back of the ice rink complex at Liverpool's Pierhead, and whilst not injured, couldn't find his way back to the nearby sea.

RSPCA animal welfare officer (AWO) Matt Brown said:- "This little chap had somehow got himself up onto the pier and then onto the ice rink, who knows how. Thankfully he wasn't injured, so we were able to guide him back towards the sea. He was a little reluctant to get back into the water, perhaps he wanted another go on the ice, but after some encouragement, off he went and we watched him swim away."

 We advise anyone who finds a seal pup on the beach who is not in immediate danger and looks fit and healthy to monitor the animal.  For very young pups, if the mother does not return within 24 hours then call us for advice.

A healthy pup will look big and fat without a neck whereas a poorly pup will look thin and will have a visible neck.  If a sick, thin or injured pup is found then calls us on:- 0300 1234999.

If a seal is on a busy public beach with people, children or dogs around, it is likely to be sick or injured.

We advise people not to touch seals, as they can give a nasty bite, not to let dogs or other animals near the seal and not to try and put the animal back into the water, as it could be washed out to sea and lost as it may be too young or ill to survive.

To help the RSPCA to continue rescuing, rehabilitating and re-homing animals in desperate need of care, and to support the winter Love Animals, Hate Cruelty campaign, please visit:- RSPCA.Org.UK/LoveHate2016.

Keys in the ignition warning

POLICE are reminding motorists across Merseyside not to leave their keys in the ignition following a number of vehicle thefts during the recent cold snap. Opportunist thieves have targeted vehicles left running but unattended in many parts of the force area. Most recently, cars left insecure while owners de-iced the windscreen, warmed the car interior, opened driveway gates or even went back inside their house have been stolen. All the offences have happened early in the morning, usually when the owner is preparing to drive to work and has gone back into their house to get something.

Detective Superintendent Richie Salter said:- "Leaving your car, even for a few seconds, presents the opportunity to thieves to steal your car. These criminals are targeting early mornings when people are de-frosting their cars so do not be fooled that your car is safe left running. Taking shortcuts like this can leave your property vulnerable and could mean that your insurance is invalidated. Neighbourhood officers will be patrolling hot spot areas to deter criminals and raise awareness amongst residents about what they can do to help stop it.”

Merseyside Police has issued the following advice to avoid becoming a victim of car thieves:-

► Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine running. Offenders watch and wait to see who does this, especially on cold and frosty mornings when heaters are left on to defrost the vehicle and warm the cabin.

► Consider using a windscreen cover to stop it freezing over in the 1st place.

► Never leave car keys in the ignition or within reach of your front door or letter box.

► If possible, park in a secure garage overnight or in well lit area outside your house.

► When locking the car make sure that any security devices are activated and don't leave valuables on show inside.