PETA Offers $5K Reward To Locate Stolen Baby Sea Lion
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — PETA offered a $5,000 reward Wednesday for information that would lead to the arrest of those responsible for kidnapping a baby sea lion from it's mother.
According to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, the sea lion was kidnapped from Dockweiler State Beach around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, by two men and two women in their early to mid 20s.
Deputies explained witness accounts revealed the suspects allegedly threw rocks and cinder blocks at the sea lion, wrapped the animal in a blanket, and drove away in a black Honda Civic that was last seen heading south on Vista Del Mar.
"The seal pup has already suffered greatly from the trauma of being separated from his or her mother," said PETA Senior Director Martin Mersereau. "It is most likely terrified, lacking proper nutrition, and in desperate need of rescue."
The sea lion's condition and whereabouts remain unknown at this time.
"PETA is urging anyone with information about this kidnapping to come forward immediately so that if this pup is alive, he or she can receive medical care and hopefully be returned to the sea," added Mersereau.
Kidnapping a sea lion pup is punishable by fines of up to $10,000 and up to a year in jail, authorities said.
No arrests have been made in connection with the kidnapping.
Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hotline at (800) 853-1964.
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