TAMPA, Fla. (970 WFLA) - A disturbing video showing a shark being dragged behind a boat at high speed has sparked outrage on social media, and now it's under investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The video features three men on the boat, at times mocking and laughing at the shark as it violently bounces up and down, apparently caught on a rope.
“Look it’s already almost dead,” says one man pointing at the shark.
“At least try to revive him and get the hook out of his mouth. At least cut the line,” fisherman Jim Alexejun told News Channel 8. “If you’re gonna take off and go full throttle knowing you have that fish on your line, that’s ridiculous.”
Here's a statement from FWC:
"The FWC has been alerted to a video circulating on multiple social media sites showing a group of individuals traveling at high speed on the water dragging a shark behind the vessel.
The FWC takes this very seriously and is currently investigating this incident. We are also attempting to identify the individuals in the video and where it took place.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 or Tip@MyFWC.com. Individuals can remain anonymous.”