Not even Haines' dogcatcher, who has a degree in wildlife biology and admits she knows better, reports the Chilkat Valley News (subscription required). The seal, with umbilical still attached, was lying in beach grass surrounded by dogs, crows and eagles, all apparently waiting for the chance to pounce.

"I struggled with it. I debated it. But I knew it wasn't going to survive by itself," said [Tracy] Mikowski, a former zookeeper who has worked as the local dogcatcher since moving here last fall. "What do you do? My conscience wouldn't let me leave it. People may have a problem with that, but I have to live with myself."