Heartwarming gesture by restaurant for good Samaritan who saved seal

A woman who was attacked when she stepped in to stop yobs from attacking a seal has been rewarded for her good deed.
Mo Ahmed and brother Murshed with Sarah Tough at Veer restaurant. Photo by Ashley Foster.Mo Ahmed and brother Murshed with Sarah Tough at Veer restaurant. Photo by Ashley Foster.
Mo Ahmed and brother Murshed with Sarah Tough at Veer restaurant. Photo by Ashley Foster.

Sarah Tough was on the beach at Crimdon with her Border collie Tally when she spotted the group of around eight young men causing the seal distress as it tried to head back into the sea.

But when she shouted at them to stop,one punched her in the face, causing a nose bleed.

Sarah Tough's face following the attack at Crimdon.Sarah Tough's face following the attack at Crimdon.
Sarah Tough's face following the attack at Crimdon.
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The incident, which was reported to the RSPCA, led to an outpouring of public support for the 25-year-old from Peterlee, who is spending time back in her home town on an extended stay after she moved to Canada, where she works as a paramedic.

After spotting the story about Sarah’s action, the team at Veer Indian restaurant in Navigation Point, Hartlepool, decided to thank her with a meal.

Mo Ahmed, the venue’s manager, said: “We wanted to help her.

“When I read the article, I thought she deserved a medal.

The seal which was attacked by the gang on the beach at Crimdon.The seal which was attacked by the gang on the beach at Crimdon.
The seal which was attacked by the gang on the beach at Crimdon.

“We sent a message and asked her if she would like to come for a meal and she replied.

“I was really taken aback by the messages we got.

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“It’s a shame something like that happened in the first place, but we were happy to do this nice thing for her.”

His brother Murshed, who also works at the restaurant, said: “What she did was heroic.

Sarah Tough's face following the attack at Crimdon.Sarah Tough's face following the attack at Crimdon.
Sarah Tough's face following the attack at Crimdon.

“We were really pleased to see her come in.”

The visit was arranged with the help of Ashley Foster, 37, who is a well-known photographer in the town.

Sarah, who runs Pilly Pinky, an all-natural dog treat company, was on the beach on the afternoon of Monday, March 6, when the confrontation happened.

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It resulted in the man who attacked her being bitten on the ankle by Tally.

After the ordeal, Sarah said she felt sorry for the hooligans because they must have had a difficult background to behave in such a way.