New lawsuit filed in effort to get emergency seal rope up at La Jolla Children’s Pool

Animal rights activist and attorney Bryan Pease has filed a lawsuit in San Diego Superior Court challenging Mayor Jerry Sanders’ decision not to declare an emergency to immediately replace the rope barrier separating humans from harbor seals at La Jolla’s Children’s Pool.

In his suit, Pease contends it was the intention of the City Council when it decided at a public meeting in La Jolla on May 17 to require that the rope barrier to be up year-round. A hearing is set for Wednesday.

“The mayor is now avoiding emergency implementation of the resolution he signed which gives the city manager discretion to grant or deny an emergency permit application,” states the lawsuit. “Event though the rope is just a guideline, it acts as a very powerful tool to encourage people to keep a safe distance from the resting seals.”

Pease filed the lawsuit on behalf of the nonprofit Animal Protection and Rescue League and La Jolla Friends of the Seals.