Featured Image Credit: CNN
By: Sarah Sharkey
Back in July, a video of a shark being dragged behind a boat at top speed went viral on the internet. What happened in the video was definitely not okay. It made anyone who loves the ocean want to scream, because that sort of animal abuse and cruelty should not be allowed. And newsflash: it’s not!
The three men, Michael Wenzel, Spencer Heintz and Robert Lee Benac are all facing two facing two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty. In addition, Wenzel and Benac face a misdemeanor because they took the shark illegally.
Bo Rivard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chairman, had this to say about the incident, “As we’ve said since this video and other images came to light, these actions have no place in Florida, where we treasure and conserve our natural resources for everyone. We appreciate the patience and support of the public as our law enforcement investigators worked with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office to identify a number of serious violations that will be brought to the courts for adjudication. It is our hope these charges will send a clear message to others that this kind of behavior involving our fish and wildlife will not be tolerated.”
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