'Prison for that creep': Internet slams Florida man seen bludgeoning shark with HAMMER in shocking video
INDIAN HARBOR BEACH, FLORIDA: A shocking viral video appears to show a man beating a shark to death with a hammer before dragging it back into the ocean. The footage was captured on December 20 by a surfcam at Harbour House, a wedding venue in Indian Harbor Beach, Florida, and was initially posted by FOX 35 News. The video appears to show the man using a hammer to strike the shark on its skull and gills while another man watches. The man then decides that the shark must be dead and tries to drag its body back into the sea but the waves keep bringing it back to land.
Later, the Indian Harbour Beach Police Department said in a statement, "Two males were observed catching a shark while shore fishing, bringing the shark to shore, hitting the shark over the head with a hammer, and then dragging the shark back into the water and releasing it." As expected, when the video was posted on several social media platforms, people came out and reacted to it. One person wrote in a YouTube comment section, “Prison for that creep. At least 10 years.” Another comment read, "he needs to get the same punition as the shark got."
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Another horrified viewer of the viral clip wrote, “He needs to be in jail!!!” “Sharks Lives Matter,” yet another comment stated. Meanwhile, the incident will now be addressed by the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, according to Florida police. According to a statement provided to Fox News Digital, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is looking into the attack.
"The FWC takes potential resource violations seriously and is currently investigating this incident. Investigators have identified the individual in the video and would like to thank the public for their assistance. Per normal protocol, while this investigation is ongoing, the agency will not confirm the identity of the individual involved," Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in a statement.
According to Florida law, animal cruelty charges can be filed against a person who "unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal." Depending on the severity and prior conviction, animal cruelty may result in a fine of at least $5,000 or a jail sentence, according to Fox News. Anyone with additional information about the incident has been requested to contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or text Tip411.