Curiosity
Sea lion smell lawsuit: Group Sues City Over Sea Lion Poop Stench
Photo by Susan Murphy / KPBS
Above: Seals, sea lions and sea birds inhabit the rocks along the sandstone cliffs at La Jolla Cov
San Diego, California – A citizens group known as “Citizens for Odor Nuisance Abatement” has filed a lawsuit to force the city to abate the offensive smells coming from the rocks at the base of La Jolla Cove. Apparently, the foul odor of defecation left by sea gulls and sea lions has risen to the point of becoming intolerable to the renowned La Valencia Hotel and some prestigious restaurants that overlook the cove.
The owner of one of those restaurants, George’s At The Cove, reported that boxing champion Floyd Mayweather had recently booked two villas and six rooms at the hotel worth $5,000 only to leave after 15 minutes due to the stench. The smells are costing businesses money. Fair enough.
What does the lawsuit demand? Citizens for Odor Nuisance Abatement believe the answer is simple: remove the fence that prevents people from wandering down to the rocks now currently squatted on by sea gulls and sea lions.
The group believes that if the general public is not prevented from going closer to the rocks, their mere presence will compel the birds and mammals to seek another location for rest and take their guano and poop with them.
The city can’t comment specifically about the lawsuit, said Alex Roth, a spokesman for interim Mayor Todd Gloria.
“We are well aware this is a problem impacting businesses and quality of life in La Jolla,” Roth said. “We are actively working toward a solution. No options are off the table.”
On The Web:
Sea lion smell lawsuit
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-stink-lawsuit-20131228,0,6889429.story#axzz2ornMvqCs
Sea lion smell lawsuit: Businesses sue San Diego over stink from sea lion waste at La Jolla Cove
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/12/28/businesses-sue-san-diego-over-stink-from-sea-lion-waste-at-la-jolla-cove/