Authorities investigating Bronco's Von Miller over shark catch
By admin - 2018-04-04 19:31:33

Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller could be in hot water after netting a shark during a recent fishing trip.

According to ESPN, Miller is under investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for catching a 91/2-foot hammerhead shark off the coast of Miami. An avid hunter and fisherman, Miller was reportedly on a guided fishing tour with friends at the time and posted photos and videos of the catch to his Instagram account. The posts were ultimately seen by members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), who alerted authorities.

An Instagram comment promised “to ensure that Miller is held accountable if killing this animal was, as we suspect, illegal.” The FWC later released a statement, saying it was investigating the matter.

“The FWC has received the images and video and is looking into whether or not a violation occurred in this incident,” said Carol Lyn Parrish, the commission’s public information coordinator.

Miller reportedly later released the shark, but according to the FWC’s website, Hammerhead sharks are classified as “Group 3 Sharks” and the harvesting of them in state waters is a second-degree misdemeanor. In Florida, second-degree misdemeanors are punishable by up to a $500 fine and 60 days in jail.