18岁的泰勒·缪尔因在拉霍亚海滩踢打受保护海狮的事件被拍摄在视频中，已于周四向联邦法院认罪[1]。这一事件发生于7月22日[1]，缪尔至少两次踢中了海狮[1]。
缪尔因违反《海洋哺乳动物保护法》而被起诉[1]，该法要求人类与海狮等受保护物种保持至少50英尺的距离[1]。他将面临最高一年监禁和10万美元罚款的处罚[1]。美国国家海洋与大气管理局渔业法律执法办公室西海岸部门官员埃里克·摩根表示："有意殴打或踢打海洋哺乳动物不仅是违法的——对动物的健康有危害"[1]。缪尔将于10月20日被判刑[1]。
An 18-year-old San Diego resident has pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from an attack on a protected sea lion that was captured on video.[1] Tyler Muehl admitted to the violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act on Thursday, with sentencing scheduled for October 20.[1] The incident occurred on July 22 at La Jolla Cove beach, where Muehl kicked the sea lion at least twice during the encounter.[1]
Under federal law, people are required to maintain a distance of at least 50 feet from protected marine mammals such as sea lions.[1] Muehl now faces a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000.[1] According to Eric Morgan, an official with the NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement's West Coast division, "Intentionally striking or kicking marine mammals is not only illegal — it is harmful to the animals' health."[1]