San Diego man pleads guilty to kicking protected sea lion in an attack caught on video

SAN DIEGO (AP) — A San Diego man pleaded guilty to a federal charge after he was caught on video kicking and chasing a protected sea lion at a local beach. Tyler Muehl, an 18-year-old from the upscale neighborhood of La Jolla, pleaded guilty Thursday to violating…

apnews.com ·9h ago

Tyler Muehl, an 18-year-old from La Jolla, San Diego, pleaded guilty on Thursday to violating the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The incident occurred on July 22 at La Jolla Cove beach, when Muehl was caught on video kicking and chasing a protected sea lion. The video showed Muehl repeatedly kicking the animal as it attempted to escape, with laughter from another person in the background.

Muehl admitted to kicking the sea lion four times, with at least two hits landing on the animal, as per federal prosecutors. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), individuals should maintain a minimum distance of 50 feet (15 meters) from marine mammals protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

Eric Morgan, an official from NOAA-Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement West Coast Division, emphasized that intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal but also dangerous for the animal's well-being. Muehl faces up to a year in prison and a $100,000 fine when sentenced on October 20.

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