Great white shark is ‘kicked by group’ at beach as horrified onlookers tried to intervene

Thugs ‘kick a beached great white shark and take selfies with the dying animal’ before bystanders desperately try to save it

  • A group of men allegedly netted a great white shark then kicked it as it lay dying  
  • Witnesses said the group then took selfies with the dying animal and laughed
  • Beachgoers tried to intervene but the men became ‘exceptionally intimidating’
  • Police are investigating the animal cruelty incident which carries $250,000 fine 

A great white shark found dead on a beach had allegedly been kicked by a group of men who then took selfies with the dying animal.

Horrific footage captured at Orewa Beach in Auckland, New Zealand, shows a lifesaver and beachgoers trying to drag the predator back to deeper water, only to discover it was dead.

Footage from Thursday afternoon at Orewa Beach, Auckland, shows a lifesaver and 

Witnesses on the beach said a group of men was seen kicking the shark in the jaw and laughing as it lay injured, Stuff reported. 

Horrified onlookers watch as police guard a great white shark (pictured) which was ‘kicked’ by a group of men who then ‘took selfies’ with it as it lay dying on a New Zealand beach 

Beachgoers were able to intervene and attempted to rescue the animal (pictured) however it had succumb to its injuries and washed back onto the shore

Beachgoers were able to intervene and attempted to rescue the animal (pictured) however it had succumb to its injuries and washed back onto the shore

Horrified beachgoers tried to intervene and stop the group’s brutality, but the men became ‘exceptionally intimidating’, the publication reported.

‘Police and (the Department of Conservation) arrived on the scene as other beachgoers attempted to pull the shark back into the water,’ the witness said. 

‘The group of men gave false details to police and joined the larger group.’

A police spokesman confirmed they had received reports the animal had been dragged onto the beach and repeatedly kicked. 

Lifeguards then tried to drag the shark back into deeper water, but noticed the animal wasn’t moving. 

Shortly afterwards the shark was washed back onto the shore and confirmed dead. 

It’s believed a gill net was used to catch the great white shark.

Great white sharks are protected in New Zealand waters under legislation which carries a maximum penalty of a $250,000 fine and six months imprisonment. 

A group of beachgoers (pictured) who tried to save the animal watched on as they realise the shark has died and was washing back onto the shore

A group of beachgoers (pictured) who tried to save the animal watched on as they realise the shark has died and was washing back onto the shore 

 

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk