A Santa Paula man pleaded guilty to brutally beating a sick sea lion on a Ventura County beach in March.
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According to the Ventura County district attorney’s office, 32-year-old Christopher Hurtado found a sea lion sickened by the toxic algae bloom stranded on the rocks. He kicked it and beat it with a four-foot piece of driftwood.
A witness called 911, and police arrested Hurtado at the scene for animal cruelty as well as methamphetamine possession.
The sea lion was taken in by rescuers, but it had to be put down because it was so sick from domoic acid poisoning.
Hurtado is facing up to three years in prison at his sentencing in July.
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