Family Criticized After Viral Video Shows Sea Lion Pulling Girl Into Water

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A video of a sea lion pulling a girl into the water in Richmond, British Columbia went viral over the weekend.

The original 2-minute YouTube video has been viewed more than 9 million times.

According to local media reports, officials say the family displayed "reckless behavior" by feeding the animal.

"You wouldn't go up to a grizzly bear in the bush and hand him a ham sandwich, so you shouldn't be handing a thousand-pound wild mammal in the water slices of bread," Robert Kiesman, chair of the Steveston Harbour Authority, told CBCNews.

"And you certainly shouldn't be letting your little girl sit on the edge of the dock with her dress hanging down after the sea lion has already snapped at her once," he continued. "Just totally reckless behaviour."

There are signs on the dock, a popular tourist spot, warning people about the sea mammals in the area, and advising them not to feed them.

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