Horror Footage Shows Shark Being Dragged By Speedboat

These are the first pictures of the three men alleged to be behind a sickening video of a live shark being 'dragged behind a speedboat' - and have now been charged with animal cruelty.



MirrorOnline reported in July how the footage showed the men laughing as the helpless shark struggled to break free from the line.



One of them was even seen gloating on camera: "Look, it's already almost dead."



The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has confirmed that Michael Wenzel, 21, Spencer Heintz, 23, and 28-year-old Robert Lee Benac each face two felony charges of aggravated animal cruelty.



Two of them, Wenzel and Benac, are also charged with illegally taking the shark.



As news of the charges emerged, Florida Governor Rick Scott released a statement saying: "I was outraged by the sickening video of a shark being horribly abused earlier this year.



"Florida has no tolerance for this mistreatment, and I am proud of the hard work of FWC law enforcement during this investigation to hold these individuals accountable for their horrific actions."



The FWC said their investigation had also found "other disturbing images on social media involving shocking disregard for Florida's natural resources."



Commission Chairman Bo Rivard said: "The State Attorney’s Office is committed to holding these men accountable for having engaged in such senseless and unjustifiable animal cruelty."



Local charter fishing Captain Mark 'The Shark' Quartiano said he was sent the video by one of the people on the boat.



Mr Quartiano posted the footage online on his Instragram account after viewing it with the caption: "FOR ONCE I MAY HAVE TO AGREE WITH @PETA"



Viewers have widely condemned the 11-second clip.



One wrote: "Those people are NOT human they are monsters and need to be behind bars where they belong karmas a b**** they'll get theirs."



Another commented: "These people are subhuman."