Final Animal Cruelty, Animal Crime & Animal Welfare Report of 2017, Abuse an Animal – Go to Jail, Praxis, ‘Canada Goose Kills’ Mural, Bella & Michael Wenzel, Robert Lee Benac & Spencer Heintz are charged 2 felony animal cruelty counts for shark dragging...Sustainable Action Network (SAN)
Michael Wenzel, 25; Robert Lee Benac, 28; and Spencer Heintz, 23, were all charged with two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office. Wenzel and Benac were also charged with one count each of illegal method of take, a misdemeanor.
Florida wildlife officials began investigating after the video surfaced on social media in July. It showed a shark being dragged behind a high-speed boat.
Three men in the video, excluding the individual who shot the footage, are seen laughing and smiling as the animal visibly struggles in the boat's wake. One of the men says the shark looks "almost dead."
Florida wildlife investigators found that the men first shot the shark, then dragged it at high speed, causing its death.
"Because they first shot the shark, it warranted two separate charges for animal cruelty," said Robert Klepper, public information coordinator for the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Division of Law Enforcement.
Klepper said a third-degree felony animal cruelty charge carries a sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
While searching social media for evidence, investigators discovered a second incident earlier that day, resulting in an additional misdemeanor charge against two of the men, he said.
"An issue like this is very unusual. This was a disturbing and disheartening video," Klepper told CNN.
Lots of views, and outrage
Miami charter fisherman Mark Quartiano, who goes by "Mark the Shark," posted the video on social media after two Instagram users sent it to him who he said were part of the incident. Quartiano said he decided to publish the video so the fishermen could be identified and caught.
"I was horrified," Quartiano told CNN. "I've been shark fishing for 50 years, and I've never seen a disrespect for an animal my entire career that was that evil."
The video racked up thousands of views on social media as well as thousands of comments, many of them expressing outrage.
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On Friday, successful street artist Praxis will descend on Astoria to create a massive mural condemning Canada Goose for its fur-and-down jackets. The painting will go up in a popular tourist spot designated for street art,—as part of the Wellington Court Mural Project, which aims to beautify Astoria,—and will show three coyotes, one with a bloody leg caught in a trap, and proclaim, “Not Your Fur. #CanadaGooseKills.”
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Canada Goose buys coyotes who were caught in steel traps and killed for their fur. It tells its customers that in order to stay warm during the winter, they need to have fur trim on their coats, which is false. Every fur trim comes from a coyote who suffered in agonizing pain. Learn more about Canada Goose and its cruelty here.
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Bella’s case is heartbreaking. I followed the case — from arrest to sentencing — knowing full well justice would not be done. The way the current animal cruelty law is written, there are maximum sentences and limitations that make justice difficult to achieve.
We need to strengthen animal cruelty laws now, so this doesn’t happen to another animal. That is why legislative reform is so desperately needed. The Animal Legal Defense Fund has the support of prosecutors and police departments to make animal cruelty laws stronger. But animals need you. I’m sure you were touched by Bella’s story — so was I. You can stop this from happening again. You can stand up and be heard.
Don’t let Bella’s death be in vain.
Bella, an 11 year-old Shepherd mix, was strangled with a zip-tie, shoved into a garbage bag, and beaten with a shovel. Her skull was fractured, and she died as a result of her injuries. Her abuser received just 4 months in county jail.
It’s jaw dropping…
But I am sad to say this situation is not unique — and the issue stems from the state laws that are in place to “protect” animals. I think we can both agree that Bella was not adequately protected by the law, nor did she receive the justice she deserved.
Our expert attorneys are working every day to make animal cruelty laws stronger — to increase the number of animal cruelty cases prosecuted and increase the severity of the sentences ordered.
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We represent animals — so all of our clients are innocent. But we can’t do it alone. Animals need your help. Together we can provide them with the expert legal team they desperately need.
Use Bella’s story to make a difference today. She lost her life, but her spirit can live on.
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