A disturbing video has been released showing beachgoers dragging a shark to the shore, before taking pictures with the washed up animal.
As a concern onlooker, the two men captured the shark in late Thursday at Henley Beach in Adelaide.
Footage captures a man stringing a rope around an animal’s tail at the beach.
A group of men gather around the shark to take photos. The man poses for the camera with the animal in distress.
A man rubs the skin of the shark while others are listening and telling them to let it go.
AshaReilly, who witnessed the disturbing incident, told 9NEWS that they had tied a rope to the tail and hooked the dog with the rope. They then left the pet on the shore, snapping photos.
“They beached the thing and it could not breathe.”
Ms. Reilly stated that she felt nauseated and was able to see the faces of others.
A group of men grabbed a shark at Henley Beach, Adelaide on Thursday night and brought it back to shore while concerned witnesses watched.
The shark was eventually released into the ocean.
The South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions Website states that recreational shark fishing is very popular in South Australia and most fisheries follow ‘catch andrelease’ practices.
It is important that fishermen use appropriate gear and methods of handling marine animals to ensure their ‘ethical, humane treatment.
According to the Department, small sharks should be landed using a soft net that is not knotted.
To keep the animal calm, it is recommended to place a wet towel over its eyes.
Additionally, the Department recommends that sharks be immediately released and not removed from the waters.
Before releasing the animal, the men attached a rope to the tail of the sea creature and snapped photos.
RSPCA South Australia was informed about the incident. They told Daily Mail Australia they didn’t follow all of their guidelines.
The animal organization is unable to investigate.
According to the spokesperson, “RSPCA believes that animals need to be treated humanely in all circumstances.”
“From what little information was provided by RSPCA, it seems that the individuals were trying to do right and bring the shark back to the sea.
“We are unable to determine the circumstances in which the shark was on the beach, and the Animal Welfare Act of South Australia does not allow us to conduct an investigation because the law doesn’t protect fish or crustaceans.
RSPCA said that exclusions of animals are a serious oversight and has campaigned to change the law so fish and other crustaceans can be included in those acts.