RIGA, March 20 (LETA) - The Latvian Nature Conservation Agency has issued an appeal to dog owners asking to keep their dogs on a leash when walking them on the beach in order not to disturb seal pups.

As LETA was told at the agency, two seal pups with deep bite marks have been taken to Riga Zoo in the past 24 hours.

These cases show that some people still let their dogs run free on the seaside, posing a serious threat to wild animals, the agency's experts said.

The Nature Conservation Agency also urges people against approaching the seal pups resting on the beach as it can cause them unnecessary stress. People should stay at least 50 meters from them.

Each spring, seal pups come ashore to bask in the sun and rest. There is also no need to try to chase them back into the sea or feed them. The seal pups do not need human help unless they have visible serious injuries, the Nature Conservation Agency stressed.