NEWS DESK Police patrol Bus stop bashing
Golden slumbers: This seal, known as Arcto, often frequents bayside beaches including Chelsea beach. Picture: Gary Sissons
Seal ‘attacked by dogs’ Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au WILDLIFE officers from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning want to hear from anyone who saw dogs attacking a seal on Edithvale beach last week. The alleged attack occurred after 7.30pm last Thursday (23 March) on the foreshore at the end of Alexandra St. DELWP resource protection and management program manager Suriya Vij said the department has already received “multiple reports” of the attack. “Two dogs reportedly approached a seal resting on the beach, nipped at the seal’s flippers as well as barking at and
harassing it. These dogs were unleashed. “Dogs are allowed along the Edithvale beach during the evening, but they must be on-leash.” Ms Vij said the seal would have been distressed by the incident and could have seriously injured the dogs if it had retaliated. “It’s up to owners to do the right thing and keep their dogs on lead where local laws require it,” she said. “The laws are in place for a reason, and one of them is the protection of wildlife, such as seals. “Equally concerning are suggestions that a man was straddling or riding the seal, which is also illegal. Offenders can be fined several thousand dollars. “It’s also just downright stupid as seals are large, wild animals that have been
known to bite humans and dogs when threatened. “The reports received suggest there were many people on the beach at the time, a number of whom were taking photos on their phones.” Ms Vij urges anyone on the beach who saw the alleged attack, or who took photos of people going too close to a seal, to contact the department. “We want to identify both the dogs’ owner and the individual who made physical contact with the seal and speak with them about these incidents.” It is illegal to go within 30 metres of seals, or within 50 metres with a dog. Such incidents should be reported to DELWP 136 186 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
A MAN sitting at a bus stop in Mordialloc on Saturday night (25 March) was brutally bashed by three men from a group of eight-10 men and women who got off the Smart bus. The man, 23, of Aspendale, was punched to the head and fell, hitting his head on the pavement, outside the supermarket in Centreway, midnight, 25 March. He was then kicked while lying on the ground. The man was taken by ambulance to Monash Hospital. Police later patrolled the area but could not find the culprits. They are viewing CCTV footage from the bus and talking to witnesses to help identify them. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Home alone A TEENAGER at home alone in Mentone quickly rang his father, who had just left, when two intruders jumped a side fence and forced the house’s back door open, 2.15pm, Thursday 23 March. The boy later told police a Caucasian man wearing a baseball cap backwards rang the doorbell of their Beach Rd home three times before he and an accomplice broke into a gymnasium at the back of the house, on the corner of Marina Rd. They cut through wire screen doors and unsnibbed sliding glass doors to enter the house before rummaging through two downstairs bedrooms and stealing hockey sticks and piggy banks. The boy, who was not seen by the intruders, was in a third downstairs bedroom when his father returned. The garage door went up and the offenders ran out to a waiting stolen car and drove off. Soon after, police were called
to Cremona St, Mentone, when the same offenders were seen rummaging through a parked car. They smashed open two metal money boxes in the street before leaving them on the nature strip and driving off along Venice St. Police later pursued the car but broke off the chase. Call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 with information.
Wine walks THREE women stole 14 bottles of wine from a Southland liquor store, 10.20pm, Thursday 23 March. Two acted as lookouts while the third reached through temporary fencing to grab the wine – seven Yellow Glen sparkling and seven Catalina Sounds sav blanc – from a display shelf which was just inside the door within arm’s reach. The women ran off with their ill-gotten gains to the car park near Aldi. Police said the centre should have been closed at the time and the offenders should not have had such easy access to the wine. Call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Wilful exposure A WOMAN walking past shops in Nepean Highway, Edithvale, heard tapping on a window and was startled to see a penis protruding through window blinds, noon, Saturday (25 March). The woman, 67, told police children and families were walking near the disused shop at the time. Police expect to charge a man, 32, they questioned about the incident with wilful and obscene exposure and over outstanding warrants.
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
29 March 2017
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