Seal Gets Ruff Reception From Dog as It Takes Up Residence in Massachusetts Pond

Storyful

Locals in Beverly, Massachusetts, have welcomed a new resident lately: a seal that’s been spotted in Shoe Pond. One neighborhood dog, however, isn’t too sure about the arrival.

The seal, who has been nicknamed Shoebert, was first spotted in the pond on Friday, September 16, according to local news.

A dog being taken for a walk along the pond on Sunday aimed a few barks in Shoebert’s direction, perhaps letting him know who’s boss.

The Beverly Police Department said the seal appeared “happy, healthy and has a large food supply”.

They said they expected Shoebert to make its way back to the ocean eventually. Credit: Stanley Forman via Storyful

Video Transcript

[DOG BARKING]

[INAUDIBLE]

[DOG BARKING]

[INAUDIBLE]

[DOG BARKING]

- She's not friendly though. Just don't get too close.

[DOG BARKING]

- Hi.

- Hi, buddy.

[DOG BARKING]

I know, boy.

[DOG BARKING]

Come this way. Come this way. Follow us this way. Come on.

[DOG BARKING]

There he is. Come on, buddy, this way.

Here he is. Come on, buddy. There he is. Look at him go. There he goes. There he is. [INAUDIBLE] You like him?

[DOG BARKING]

[INAUDIBLE]

[DOG BARKING]

[CHUCKLES]

[DOG BARKING]

I know [INAUDIBLE].

[DOG BARKING]

[INAUDIBLE]

- So what happened right after I left?

- So the seal just swam over. He was still kind of responding to my dog, who was in the car now, just harassing him. And he swam right over, beached himself right up on the wall over here. And I thought he was going to go over, but nothing.

He sat there for about 20 or 30 seconds, just still listening to the sound of me and the dog, and looking at us like, where am I? How do I get home? And I was trying to coax him over. But he doesn't know what I'm saying, of course. And that was it. He swam right back right into the water. So he's definitely trying.

- Trying to what, leave?

- I think he's trying to get back, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So yeah.

- Do you know the guy who was--