Shark left to die on street after men try to sell it

MIAMI (WSVN) -- Police are searching for two men who allegedly tried to sell a shark to several businesses and then left it to die in the middle of a street.

Police have released surveillance video of the men dragging the 5-foot shark by a rope near Northwest Fifth Avenue and Fifth Street Monday night. The subjects even took the shark on the Metromover in an effort to sell it to fish markets for $10. When they were unsuccessful at selling it, they just dumped it in the middle of the street, where it was discovered Tuesday night.

Casablanca Fish Market was one of the markets who turned the men away. The owner said when the men arrived, the shark was still alive. "The gills were still moving and the eyes. You could see it was still alive," said Jorge Sanchez.

One man witnessed the ordeal. "It's a nurse shark. You can't use the meat for anything. The fins are no use. It's a harmless shark, you really can't do anything with it at all," said David Gil.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission have officers on this case and are trying to track down these two men because they said the way these men disposed of the shark could be criminal. The subjects could face charges.

Officials said it is not illegal to posses or catch a nurse shark.

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