Feds Getting Involved in Dog Attack on Sea Lion

The federal government is now getting involved in the case of the dog that attacked and killed a young sea lion in Laguna Beach on March 23.

Representatives from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a federal agency, met with Laguna Beach police last week and told them they were looking into the possibility of filing civil or criminal charges against the owner of the 65-pound bulldog mix.

No city laws had been broken and no citations were issued at the time, as leashed dogs are allowed on city beaches between September and June. However, since the attack happened in a federally protected marine animal area, the NOAA decided to become involved. A video of the attack also went viral across the Internet.

David Reilly, Special Agent of the NOAA's Southwest Division in Long Beach, told Patch he "could not comment at this time about an ongoing investigation other than to confirm that we are looking into the matter." An investigation could lead to a possible fine.

The dog belongs to the stepdaughter of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Giffords' husband is former astronaut Mark Kelly, the dog owner's father.

The leashed dog broke free of the owner's grasp on Goff Beach, just below the Montage Resort, after it spotted the sea lion. The dog quickly locked its jaws on the sea lion's neck. It eventually died from its wounds.

Laguna Beach Capt. Jason Kravetz described the attack at the time as "just a very, very unfortunate event."

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