For Immediate Release
November 10, 2014
Contact:
Jane Cartmill
(760) 943-7056
REWARD OFFERED REGARDING AREA SEA LION SHOOTINGS
San Diego Animal Advocates is offering a reward in the amount of two thousand
dollars for information leading to arrest and conviction in the matter of local sea lion
shootings and woundings.
Eight sea lions have been found on San Diego area beaches in the past year suffering
from severe gunshot wounds, and all had to be euthanized. Six of the shootings have
taken place within the past two months, according to officials from the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and SeaWorld. Three other sea lions were
found having been hooked by fishermen’s gaffs.
“Harming a sea lion is a violation of the federal Marine Mammal Protection Act, and can
result in huge fines, criminal penalties and jail sentences,” said Jane Cartmill, President
of San Diego Animal Advocates. “There is no excuse for the abuse of these animals, and
the perpetrators must be identified,” she said.
The reward is offered from the group’s Sasha Fund, an account maintained for the
purpose of offering rewards in cases of animal abuse or theft. The fund was founded
over 20 years ago when a cocker spaniel named Sasha was stolen and ultimately died.
Members of the public have donated to the fund over the years to keep it a viable crimefighting tool.
Anyone with information on the gaff injuries or shootings should contact Special
Agent Michelle Zetwo of NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement at (619) 557-5494 or
call the NOAA Hotline at (800) 853-1964.
San Diego Animal Advocates is an all-volunteer 501©3 nonprofit organization established in 1984,
dedicated to the abolition of animal abuse, neglect and cruelty. SDAA has been engaged in thirty years of
animal advocacy through education, direct action and community outreach.