Shocking video has emerged of a man beating a shark over the head with a hammer in scenes described by eyewitnesses as “disturbing and horrifying”. The three-minute clip, captured by nearby CCTV, shows the man pulling the shark back into the sea by its fin after the sustained attack. The incident unfolded on a Florida beach on Monday and has prompted an investigation by wildlife officials.
Another man watches on as the shark is dragged back into the ocean.
Faith Madsen, who witnessed the attack, said: “My co-worker and I were just stunned to see that this was happening right in front of our property.
“To see something like that happen to an animal as someone who grew up here, who also fishes and has friends who do this was just disturbing and horrifying.”
JUST IN: Biden pledges billions to Zelensky’s war as Patriot missiles to turn tide against Putin
Ms Madsen said the attacker had reeled in the five to six-foot shark and dragged it onto shore before he started beating it with the hammer.
She noted the beach was full at the time, with children present. It occurred outside the Harbour House Oceanfront Venue.
She added: “We have beaches full of families and kids, and he has done this in front of them before, it is really just disheartening.”
Another witness, Ken Wells, told Click Orland he had seen the man catch sharks before at Bicentennial Beach Park.
READ MORE: Donald Trump’s much-anticipated tax returns reveal ex-POTUS paid no income taxes in 2020
While shark fishing is legal in Florida, the FWC requires anyone 16 or older to pass an online test and obtain a permit before being allowed to fish from the shore.
The Commission also noted that, depending on the outcome of the investigation, the man involved in the attack could face potential animal cruelty charges.
According to Florida legislation, an individual found to have abused or killed any animal with cruelty or who commits animal cruelty can be charged with a misdemeanour resulting in prison time or a hefty fine.
