3 months ago
SACRAMENTO, CA -- A Sacramento man was arrested early Saturday morning by officers from the Department of Fish and Game after admitting he shot a sea lion that eventually found its way to the shores of Old Sacramento last month.
The 300 to 500 pound mammal was spotted in the Sacramento River near the Tower Bridge on November 11. Tourists in the area noticed the sea lion had a large wound on its face.
Workers from the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito had plans to come to Old Sacramento in hopes of rescuing the animal, however by the time they arrived, the sea lion had slipped underwater and disappeared.
During an investigation into the sea lions injuries a tip came in from a fisherman who said he witnessed someone shoot a sea lion in the Sacramento River in Sutter County . The tipster gave authorities the boat's license plate number.
Investigators tracked the number to a home in North Highlands and were granted a search warrant.
Upon serving the warrant early Saturday morning, Larry Legans, 43, was taken into custody in connection with the shooting.
"After talking with the suspect he did admit to shooting a sea lion with a shotgun a few weeks ago," said Fish and Game Warden Stephen Johnson.
Legans was arrested for cruelty to animals, negligent discharge of a firearm and booked into the Sutter County jail.
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