Man caught on camera bashing shark with hammer
WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT — A man has been caught on camera smashing a shark with a hammer at a beach, with authorities now investigating the disturbing incident.
The spine-chilling incident involved two fishermen catching what is believed to be an endangered lemon shark at Bicentennial Beach Park in Florida, US, on Tuesday, authorities said.
The men were seen bringing the shark to the shore, hitting it over the head with a hammer, before dragging it back into the water and releasing it. It is unclear if the shark was alive at this point.
CCTV footage from a harbour venue captured the appalling behaviour, which was then provided to police, News 6 reports.
Matter being investigated by wildlife agency
Police have thanked those who brought the matter to their attention, which will now be further investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
"The Indian Harbour Beach Police Department would like to thank those who notified us of this incident so we could take appropriate action," they said on their Facebook page. "We ask everyone to allow FWC to handle this matter and refrain from addressing anyone involved personally."
According to News 6, the wildlife government agency has since identified the man however have not placed him under arrest.
A local who witnessed the crime has also told the publication that this is not the first time he's seen one of the men catch a shark, alleging that in the past he's taken the animal home rather than releasing it back into the ocean.
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“I don’t know that he did anything wrong if he’s keeping the shark and eating it,” Mr Wells told News 6. “But if he’s not and he’s just killing it, then that would be another problem.”
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