A Florida man who was allegedly captured on camera beating a shark with a hammer at a Brevard County beach in 2022 will not serve any jail time, according to a local report.
While 34-year-old Brian Waddill will not serve any jail time, he was sentenced to 12 months of supervised probation, Fox 35 Orlando reported. During his probation, Waddill is barred from fishing and is also legally obligated to take the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation’s “shore-based shark fishing course.” He is also expected to write a $250 donation check to the Brevard County Zoo, as well as pay $412 to cover pertinent fines and general court costs. (RELATED: Man Charged With Poisoning, Killing Almost 50 Fish In Koi Pond Owned By Rhode Island Senator’s Wife)
SHARK BEATER SENTENCED: A man who beat a shark with a hammer on a Florida beach in December 2022 received probation and was ordered to make a $250 donation to a local zoo, records show. https://t.co/WSd1UYzERh
— WPLG Local 10 News (@WPLGLocal10) October 11, 2023
Waddill has also been ordered to participate in a psychology evaluation that, if necessary, will be followed up within 11 months, according to Fox 35. (RELATED: YouTube Animal Torturer Pleads Guilty After Being Tracked Down By Internet Sleuths)
The incident took place in December 2022 at Bicentennial Beach Park in Indian Harbor Beach, the outlet reported. Waddill was shore fishing and caught what is understood to be a lemon shark. Once he reeled it in, the man allegedly dealt a flurry of blows to the sea creature, and also “[ripped] its gills with the hammer,” the outlet reported.
The incident was captured by a surf camera in the area.
Florida man arrested and charged after being caught on video brutally beating a protected shark with a hammer https://t.co/OOlh5fjQso
— US Burning (@UsBurning) April 16, 2023
Waddill was charged with a two second-degree misdemeanor violations pertaining to the “possession of a prohibited species and a violation regarding the harvest, landing, or sale of a shark.” He adjudicated guilty, Fox 35 reported.