Slappy and the Stinkers

Slappy and the Stinkers is a 1998 adventurecomedy film directed by Barnet Kellman. The film stars B. D. Wong and Bronson Pinchot. The film revolves around a group of children who try to save an abused sea lion from a greedy circus owner.

When the kids discover sea lion Slappy during an aquarium field trip, Sonny and the others decide to free him like Willy from Free Willy by smuggling him back onto the school bus and hide him in Mr. Brinways hot tub at his house as a form of celebrating their success, they order fish and chips and have a little party. After Mr. Brinway arrives home earlier than usual, the Stinkers quickly retrieve Slappy unbeknownst to Mr. Brinway and hide Slappy at Witzs house. During this time, Roy mistakes the sea lion for a giant gopher and sets out to kill him, but to no avail. Animal thief Anthony Boccoli Sam McMurray plans to make off with Slappy so he could to sell him to a Bulgarian circus, but before he could do that he must capture the sea lion after originally trying to buy it from a corrupt aquarium employee.The next day, the Stinkers take Slappy with them to the beach so they can set him free, but Slappy refuses to leave. After trying numerous attempts to get the sea lion in the water, the kids discover that there was an orca swimming nearby and, since orcas eat sea lions, thats why Slappy didnt want to go in the water and refuses to leave them. Sonny then decides they should return Slappy back to the aquarium after they attend a festival for parents and their kids back at Dartmoor. After Roy discovers Slappy, he tries to dispose of him which causes the festival attractions to get ruined almost immediately. Assuming this was caused by the Stinkers, Mr. Brinway expels them. The Stinkers then discover that Boccoli kidnapped Slappy and his plans to do with him, which prompts the kids to set off on a rescue mission. ........

Source: Wikipedia