La Jolla teen pleads guilty to kicking sea lion under federal law

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A California teenager pleaded guilty Friday to repeatedly kicking a sea lion in the face and chasing the animal as it tried to escape, according to video of the attack.

Tyler Muehl, 18, who lives in the San Diego seaside neighborhood of La Jolla, entered his plea in a federal courtroom to a misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act’s prohibition on harassing wildlife, the Justice Department said.

“Federal crime. Federal consequences,” U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon wrote in a statement.

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The incident was investigated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Muehl admitted to kicking the sea lion on July 22 as the mammal was peacefully sitting on a seawall, federal prosecutors said.

“Intentionally striking or kicking a marine mammal is not only illegal, it is dangerous for the well-being of the animal,” said NOAA official Eric Morgan.

The teen approached the animal with his hands squared up as if he were preparing to fight, authorities said. As he made his approach, Muehl referred to himself as Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Max Holloway.

He then kicked the animal four times, “which caused the sea lion to rear, flinch and immediately recoil,” prosecutors said.

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“After the second kick, the sea lion turned and tried to flee, but Muehl chased after the animal and kicked at it a third time,” a DOJ news release states. “As the sea lion tried to get away, it stumbled on the sea wall as it fled.”

Officials said the teen kicked the sea lion again and chased it until the animal made its escape.

As part of his plea agreement, Muehl said the video, which went viral online, was a “fair and accurate recording of what occurred.”

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) commented on the incident on its social media accounts.

“Assault is ASSAULT, no matter the species,” the group wrote on X in a July 24 post. “Leave animals ALONE, and always speak up when you witness abuse.”