An 18-year-old La Jolla man who was seen kicking a sea lion at La Jolla Cove in a social media video pleaded guilty in federal court Thursday.
Tyler Muehl admitted to kicking at the animal four times on the night of July 22 near Ellen Browning Scripps Park. The video shows Muehl kicking the sea lion, including two kicks near the animal's face, then chasing it as it fled.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said Muehl pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, enacted more than 50 years ago to prevent marine mammal species from declining due to human activities.
Chris Meszaros, who was visiting from Buffalo, New York on Friday, was appalled that someone would do something like that.
“You have these sea lions and all these animals around here that are just a great natural resource to the region, and that a kid would do that to an animal is — it’s reprehensible,” he said.
Mary Bohn, who is part of the volunteer docents with the Seal Society that monitor the seals and sea lions in La Jolla, said the silver lining was that the social media exposure about this case brings attention to the issue.
“Sad as it was, that's the type of attention it does, maybe, draw people into the situation and possibly think about being more respectful and making sure other people are more respectful,” she said.
There were signs posted everywhere in the cove warning people to keep a safe distance. Bohn said if it weren’t for the high tides Friday morning, people would have tried to get closer to the sea lions.
Meszaros said the sea lions are a natural treasure for San Diego. They were the reason why he and his family came down to La Jolla Cove on Friday,
“I can’t imagine why anybody would ever try to hurt these little creatures that you have,” he said.
Following the guilty plea, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria issued a statement saying it was clear that harming or harassing marine wildlife has serious consequences.
"I appreciate our federal partners for taking this case seriously. Our coastline belongs to all of us, and protecting its wildlife requires everyone to respect these animals, keep a safe distance and follow the law,” he said in the statement.
The misdemeanor count carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Muehl is scheduled to be sentenced in October in San Diego federal court.
Eric Morgan, assistant director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement West Coast Division, said in a statement, "Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal — it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal."
