Man convicted of shooting sea lion in Sacramento River is sentenced; sea lion has reconstructive surgery
YUBA CITY, Calif. — A Sacramento man convicted of shooting a sea lion in the head will spend 30 days in jail and five years on probation.
Larry Legans was also ordered Friday to pay $51,081 in restitution for the cost of treating the sea lion. Authorities say Legans shot the animal while fishing on the Sacramento River in 2009 because it was taking his fish.
The nearly 650-pound sea lion, now known as Sgt. Nevis, underwent plastic surgery at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo last week to close holes in his muzzle caused by the shotgun blast. The sea lion was named after the animal control officer who captured it.
Legans pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of maiming or wounding an animal. Prosecutors say he is barred from all hunting or fishing while on probation.
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-- Associated Press
Photo: Animal trainer Jenny Egelhoff tries to comfort Sgt. Nevis before he undergoes reconstructive surgery to repair his muzzle Oct. 8. Credit: Chris Riley / Associated Press
they should fine him 100,000$ they are a protected specie-there is no excuse for that act
Posted by: james | October 16, 2010 at 11:05 PM
Good. It's a small step to changing a culture of disregard for animals.
Posted by: LAhuman | October 17, 2010 at 01:10 AM
$51,081??? Vet bills are not the problem of the defendant. Is the prosecutor's office nuts? It's a thieving sea lion.
Posted by: Steve M. | October 18, 2010 at 07:19 AM
wow, expensive shot
"it was taking his fish."
yea, that's what they live for, moron.
Posted by: All Hallows Eve | October 18, 2010 at 10:31 AM
30 days in jail and 5 years probation. We all know he will be out of jail in 10 days. Nice justice system. I bet he won't pay for the medical treatment for the sea lion claiming he can't afford it.
Posted by: Toprock | October 18, 2010 at 12:17 PM