The attorney representing Igor Mykhaylovych Lytvynchuk is defending his client following accusations of harassing an endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Lytvynchuk, 38, from Covington, Washington, allegedly threw a rock at the head of the seal. The incident, captured on video by beachgoers, led to public outrage.
Lytvynchuk was arrested near Seattle and charged with violating the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. If found guilty, he could face up to one year in prison for each charge and fines up to $50,000 and $20,000 respectively.
Attorney Myles Breiner stated his client never intended to harm the seal, believing he was protecting sea turtles. “He wanted to scare the seal away from the honu he saw there,” Breiner noted. Lytvynchuk claimed he was influenced by past encounters with aggressive sea lions while fishing.
Video evidence and witness accounts were crucial to the charges. A woman in the video can be heard questioning Lytvynchuk, “What are you doing? Why would you throw a rock at it?” Breiner disputes that his client said he was “rich enough to pay the fines,” clarifying the statement was “I can afford it.”
Lytvynchuk owns a logistics and trucking company in Kent, Washington. He plans to accept responsibility for breaking the law but denies trying to hurt the seal intentionally.
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