Animal cruelty: Florida fisherman charged for stabbing shark multiple times
MIAMI – A charter fisherman in Florida was charged with animal cruelty after a video showed him stabbing a shark multiple times.
The fisherman, Zane P. Garrett, 26, of Stock Island in the Florida Keys, was arrested by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on June 5 and charged with the felony count.
Law enforcement officials received tips on May 23 about a man 'repeatedly stabbing a shark on a fishing line before cutting the line and releasing the animal', the agency said in a statement. It was unclear if the shark survived.
A video, which has since been widely circulated, shows a man stabbing the shark with a knife and includes a caption that reads 'bud broke my rod'.
Conservation agents located Garrett's boat in Key West and identified him as the charter captain on the day of the attack. He later admitted to the stabbing.
It was not immediately clear what potential penalties Garrett might face.
'The careless cruelty displayed in this video is unacceptable,' said Major Alberto Maza, the South B regional commander of the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. 'I'm proud of the public for reporting this senseless act and our officers' work in identifying the subject and holding him accountable.'
According to WPLG Local 10 in Miami, an arrest warrant stated that Garrett attacked the shark because it had stolen his fish.
Garrett declined to comment when reached by phone on June 6.
According to his website, Garrett operates Second Nature Charters in Key West, with prices starting at US$900 (S$1,160) for four hours of tarpon fishing.
The charter boat is an 11m Torres sport fishing vessel that can accommodate up to six passengers.
'With Captain Zane at the helm, every fishing excursion becomes an unforgettable journey filled with camaraderie, laughter and, most importantly, epic catches that will be cherished for a lifetime,' according to the site.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said sharks have been known to take fish off a line or bite boat motors, 'an unfortunate side effect of healthy and sustainable shark populations'.
A screen grab shows a charter fisherman stabbing a shark.
PHOTO: WPLG LOCAL 10
The commission's advice: Move to another area away from shark activity.
In May, another Florida charter fisherman was sentenced to 30 days for shooting and poisoning dolphins from his boat, including doing so once in front of two school-aged children.
The captain was frustrated with the dolphins for stealing his catch, investigators said at the time. NYTIMES
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
Tesla ordered by Florida jury to pay over $400m in Autopilot crash
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox A Tesla car passing the US Courthouse in Miami, Florida, where the case is being heard. MIAMI - A Florida jury on Aug 1 found Tesla liable in the 2019 fatal crash of an Autopilot-equipped Model S, and ordered Elon Musk's automaker to pay US$329 million (S$424 million) to the family of a deceased woman and an injured survivor. The payout includes US$129 million of compensatory damages and US$200 million of punitive damages. Tesla was sued by the estate of Naibel Benavides Leon, and by her former boyfriend Dillon Angulo. The lawsuit concerned an April 25, 2019 incident where George McGee drove his 2019 Model S at about 100kmh through an intersection into the victims' parked Chevrolet Tahoe as they were standing beside it on a shoulder. 'Tesla designed Autopilot only for controlled access highways yet deliberately chose not to restrict drivers from using it elsewhere,' Mr Brett Schreiber, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said in a statement. 'Today's verdict represents justice for Naibel's tragic death and Dillon's lifelong injuries.' Tesla did not immediately respond to requests for comment. REUTERS
Straits Times
10 hours ago
- Straits Times
Ukraine says 31 killed in July 31 Russian strike on Kyiv, including five children
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Russia's attack ripped open a nine-storey residential building, wounding 159 people and claiming the lives of five children. KYIV - Ukrainian rescue workers on Aug 1 uncovered the body of a two-year-old, as they finished work following a Russian attack the day prior that killed 31 people in all. Kyiv observed a day of mourning after the deadliest attack in the Ukrainian capital this year ripped open a nine-storey residential building, wounding 159 people and claiming the lives of five children. 'This despicable attack by Russia shows that additional pressure and sanctions on Moscow are necessary,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Aug 1, announcing rescue operations had wrapped up. 'We appreciate that (US) President (Donald) Trump, European leaders and our other partners clearly see what is happening and condemn Russia,' he added. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Aug 1 described the Russian attacks as 'depraved' and posted a picture of the bloc's flag at half mast. 'More weapons for Ukraine and tougher sanctions on Russia are the fastest way to end the war. Getting more air defences to Ukraine fast is our priority,' she added in a post. Separately, one person was also killed in a Russian attack early on Aug 1 on Zaporizhzhia, in south-east Ukraine, the region's military administration said on Telegram. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Tech Reporting suspected advanced cyber attacks will provide a defence framework: Shanmugam Business Singapore's US tariff rate stays at 10%, but the Republic is not out of the woods yet Business ST explains: How Trump tariffs could affect Singapore SMEs, jobs and markets Singapore Thundery showers expected on most days in first half of August Singapore SPH Media awards three journalism scholarships to budding newsroom talent Singapore Synapxe chief executive, MND deputy secretary to become new perm secs on Sept 1 Singapore 5 women face capital charges after they were allegedly found with nearly 27kg of cocaine in S'pore Business Sumo Salad had valid insurance coverage for work injury claims: MOM Another was killed in the northeastern Kharkiv region, officials said, while the toll from another strike on July 31 – this time in Kramatorsk further south – rose to three. The July 31 attack was among the deadliest the capital has seen since Russia launched its large-scale offensive in February 2022. Mr Trump on July 31 blasted Russia's actions in Ukraine, suggesting that new sanctions against Moscow were coming. 'Russia – I think it's disgusting what they're doing. I think it's disgusting,' Mr Trump told journalists. On July 28, the US leader issued a '10 or 12' day ultimatum for Moscow to halt its invasion, now in its fourth year, or face sanctions. AFP
Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Straits Times
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan suffered from leukaemia in secret before his death
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox US pro-wrestler Hulk Hogan died at the age of 71 on July 24. American wrestling legend Hulk Hogan was battling leukaemia in private before his death, according to the American media. The former World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar, whose real name was Terry Bollea, died at age 71 on July 24. Quoting from the Pinellas County Forensic Science Centre in Florida, American celebrity news website Page Six reported on July 31 that Hogan had a history of leukaemia, a type of cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. The WWE Hall of Famer's battle with the condition was believed not to be publicly known . Page Six said the official cause of Hogan's death was acute myocardial infarction, or a heart attack. The website also quoted a document from the forensic science centre stating that Hogan had a history of atrial fibrillation, a heart condition that causes an irregular and often abnormally fast heart rate. Hogan's manner of death was ruled as natural, according to the medical examiner, which provided the latest updates in a cremation approval report. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Tech Reporting suspected advanced cyber attacks will provide a defence framework: Shanmugam Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Affected road will open progressively to motorists from noon on Aug 2 Business Singapore's US tariff rate stays at 10%, but the Republic is not out of the woods yet World As China-US tariff truce talks drag on, what are prospects for a 'big deal' for Trump? Singapore Thundery showers expected on most days in first half of August Singapore Synapxe chief executive, MND deputy secretary to become new perm secs on Sept 1 Singapore 5 women face capital charges after they were allegedly found with nearly 27kg of cocaine in S'pore Business Sumo Salad had valid insurance coverage for work injury claims: MOM The Clearwater Police Department in Florida said in a July 24 post on Facebook that it responded to a medical call for a cardiac arrest at Hogan's home that day. He was treated by the rescue crew before being taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Rumours of Hogan's poor health had been circulating since June, after American radio personality Bubba The Love Sponge said during a live stream that the wrestler was 'in the hospital' and 'might not make it'. Hogan's representative told American entertainment news portal E! News then the wrestler 'had problems with his back' for years and that he had undergone successful neck surgery. Hogan is survived by his third wife Sky Daily; daughter Brooke, 37; son Nick, 35, both whom he shared with his first wife Linda Claridge; as well as two grandchildren.
