18-year-old man seen on video kicking sea lion pleads guilty
The 18-year-old man admitted that he repeatedly kicked at the sea lion, which was peacefully sitting on the sea wall in La Jolla Cove.
An 18-year-old man from La Jolla pleaded guilty in federal court to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act by repeatedly kicking a California sea lion in La Jolla Cove. The incident, which went viral on social media, occurred on July 22 when Tyler Muehl approached the sea lion, raised his hands as if preparing to fight, and kicked the animal four times.
Muehl admitted to striking the sea lion twice on its face, causing it to flee and stumble before he chased and kicked it a third and fourth time. The U.S. Attorney’s Office stated that Muehl chased the sea lion until it escaped over the seawall and reached the beach. San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria emphasized the importance of accountability and respecting marine wildlife, while NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement reiterated that intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is illegal and dangerous.
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