Residents were “appalled” the body of a seal, which had been washed up opposite the Bath House Pub, was not removed for almost a week.
During the half-term, the coast’s first busy week of the year, five seals washed up across Clacton, Frinton and Walton beaches.
One of the seals in Walton remained on the beach for five days, upsetting residents and families visiting for a heatwave beach day.
Neil Marples, of Tendring Seal Watch, said he was disappointed to see the seal corpses left on the beach for so long, especially during half-term.
He said: “There are three dead seals on Walton and Frinton beaches.
“The seal that was on Walton’s main beach, in front of the Bathhouse pub, was decomposing.
“A council worker said they were unable to remove it as the seal was not near a slope.
“One of the seals had not been moved for five days, which is disgusting.
“Leaving these dead seals on the beaches is a health hazard and the council should be ashamed.”
Tendring Council environment boss Adrian Smith said: “A dead animal washing up on the beach is often part of the natural process and something that is part and parcel of living by the coast.
“The seal was removed as per our usual process.
“It is not always a simple matter to remove a dead animal from the beach – depending on its size and state of decomposition.
“Our officers, working with our contractors, may need to consider how to get adequate machinery on site, the health and safety risk to staff, and how to dispose of it.”
Dead seals can be washed ashore while live seals can become stranded.
Tendring Council says people should stay clear from the animals, keep their dogs away from them, and report the marine life to the authority.
If you find a dead, injured or stranded seal on the beach call 01255 686868 or 01255 222022 out of hours.