Emily Norton

Warning: This story contains images some may find upsetting.

Families and dog walkers have warned others to avoid a section of Anderby Creek in Lincolnshire after a seal was discovered on the beach “without a head”.

The carcass, which also appeared to have large chunks missing from the body and tail, appeared on the morning of Sunday, January 2.

Many have reached out to wildlife organisations and East Lindsey District Council for help to remove the seal, and to find answers.

At this stage it is not clear how the adult seal suffered the fatal injuries.

The seal’s head had been removed and large chunks had been ripped from its torso

Dogs are permitted on this section of the coast, as long as they are on a lead. But many have speculated that the injuries may have been too significant to have been caused by a dog attack.

Images show a clean, straight cut along the animal’s neck, leading some who have investigated to suggest the head has been cut from the body.

The skull remained next to the carcass.

The seals head had been removed and large chunks had been ripped from its torso

Local dad Paul Williams, who stumbled across the upsetting sight with his family, first thought the injuries were like those left by a shark attack.

The discovery has left locals upset and confused.

His wife Haley said: “There are no drag marks so it doesn’t appear to have been moved by something. The seal has an injury to its tummy and tail too.

“It does look like an attack. Poor seal. I hope it had already passed away when it was attacked.”

Haley returned to the site to further investigate and said the wounds were “circular cuts removing the head, abdomen and tail.

“I think someone has done it, and my hunch is someone has cut into its abdomen to look for or remove a pup.”

What could have done this?

Anderby Creek is close to Donna Nook.

Every November and December, grey seals come to the Donna Nook coastline to give birth to their pups near the sand dunes; a wildlife spectacle which attracts visitors from across the UK.

The Lincolnite has contacted the Donna Nook warden, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and East Lindsey District Council.

Secondary school children in Lincolnshire will be asked to wear face masks in classrooms to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

The government announced that the temporary measure will return when schools reopen after the Christmas break.

Teachers will not have to wear them under the new guidelines.

School staff unions have demanded urgent action to limit the spread of the virus.

The government will also be making 7,000 air cleaning units available to early years settings, schools and collages.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi made the announcement that face coverings would be required until at least January 26.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming pupils back next week to continue their face-to-face learning, which is so important for their education and wellbeing,” Zahawi said.

“There is no doubt that the Omicron variant presents challenges but the entire education sector has responded with a Herculean effort, and for that I thank each and every one of you.”

Country-wide ‘Plan B’ COVID measures will also be reviewed again on January 4.