In the wake of the fatal dog attack on a seal that had become a local celebrity with residents and walkers by the Thames, concern has been raised about the increase in attack by dogs on wild animals by the river.

A spokesperson for the Port of London, which controls the river, says the authority (PLA) confirmed the problem was a rising concern.

PLA spokesperson Martin Garside spoke after reports named the owner of the dog that attacked Freddie the seal on the boating slipway by Hammersmith Bridge on Sunday afternoon as a barrister.

Mr Garside said he was aware, anecdotally of reports of dogs attacking swans and geese.

"This is a growing problem," he said.

Media reports have named Rebecca Sabben-Clare, a 49-year-old QC whose father was the headmaster of Winchester College, as the owner of the dog which attacked Freddie. She specialises in commercial law and was educated at Winchester College and Oxford University, before being called to the bar in 1993 and taking silk in 2012.

Freddie initially survived the attack after intervention by passers-by and a rescue mission involving firefighters on the river, the PLA and the Port of Tilbury before he was rushed for treatment at the South Essex Wildlife Hospital.

Sadly, despite best efforts, they were unable to save the 10-month-old seal pup who was later humanely put to sleep.

The animal's death has reignited calls for dog-owners to exercise better control of their pets and the Met Police have appealed for witnesses to Sunday's attack to come forward. Anyone with information should call 101 and quote the reference 0702604/21.

It is against the law to let a dog be dangerously out of control in a public place and a dog is considered dangerously out of control if it injures someone or makes someone worried that it might injure them.