Wildlife expert and biologist Forrest Galante explains why we hear more negative shark encounters in the summer. According to Galante, warm ocean temperatures and more people in the water contribute to this.
St. Augustine, Florida. – A Florida boater says his 9-year-old Yorkie is lucky to be alive after falling from his 20-foot boat and was apparently attacked by a shark.
Bill Hoge, owner and operator of a charter company in St. Augustine, said he has encountered numerous sharks on his trips, but none have been as frightening as last weekend’s incident.
“Maddie accidentally stepped onto the top railing of the boat and in an instant she fell into the water,” said Hoge. “So I immediately cut off the boat’s steering wheel so the propeller wouldn’t run over her.”
When Maddie resurfaced, she was visibly struggling while his wife Terri jumped into the San Sebastion River to help get the dog back to the boat.
They noticed that Maddie was bleeding heavily, and the Hoges feared it was an injury from the fall or the boat’s propeller, but staff at a nearby animal hospital had a different theory.
“The veterinarian found six deep puncture wounds on one thigh, severe bruising on the other and a pelvis broken in three places,” Hoge explained. “After consulting with colleagues, the veterinarian concluded that the injuries were consistent with a shark attack and not a propeller attack.”
9-year-old Yorkie named Maddie
(Bill Hoge / FOX Weather)
Florida boater seriously injured in shark attack
According to the veterinarian’s assessment, a shark probably grabbed Maddie, pulled her underwater, fractured her pelvis and then released her.
Hoge suspected it was probably a bull or lemon shark, although it was probably not full size since his 12-pound dog was able to survive.
Both species are common in this body of water despite the shallow water and are considered aggressive.
“It’s incredible that she was able to resurface after the attack and keep her head above water,” Hoge said.
X-ray of 9-year-old Yorkie named Maddie
(Bill Hoge / FOX Weather)
WHERE IN THE USA DO MOST SHARK ATTACKS OCCUR?
Maddie is currently recovering at home but still appears to be in considerable pain but will be seeing specialists in the next few days.
Hoge said he would never jump into a waterway like the Intracoastal Waterway and has a warning for anyone who does.
“I just want to make a public announcement here: If you take your children on an inflatable boat or wakeboard or waterski in a river or the Intracoastal Waterway, you are really risking the lives and safety of the children by swimming in them,” Hoge said.
The charter captain said he has observed an increase in marine life along Florida’s coastal waters and off the Atlantic coast and attributes this to an increase in population.
