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SHARK ATTACK Surfer had to fight off shark to rescue girl, punching the animal
Miami Herald ^ | 6/26/05 | MONICA HATCHER

Posted on 06/27/2005 8:39:11 AM PDT by ppaul

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To: Paradox
Yes, I think he has a bit of the surfer "bum" in him but he is a hero. Rescuing a bitten victim with blood gushing out of her leg is definitely an heroic act. The shark was in a frenzy mode and did not want to give up its prey. Kudos to Mr. Dicus. You are the Man!

However, my heart bleeds for the girl's family. They are living through a parent's worst nightmare. They have to bury their child. Their loss is great, theirs wounds are deep and their pain is so overwhelming that they will be grieving for a very long time. God Bless little Jaime. And our prayers should be with the family.
41 posted on 06/27/2005 10:25:55 AM PDT by daviscupper
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To: brytlea
Courage is being scared, and getting on your horse anyway.
42 posted on 06/27/2005 10:45:05 AM PDT by Maigrey (TC, Kick that cancer in the @$$ - Texas Termite (shame on you with such language!))
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To: Ellesu

Sometimes I do wonder why these sweet innocents seem to be the victims so often.


43 posted on 06/27/2005 10:48:02 AM PDT by yarddog
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To: ppaul
If they would let the fishermen go after the sharks right up to the shore this problem would go away.

The surf zone belongs to man we need to start enforcing the no-sharks zone.

44 posted on 06/27/2005 10:49:59 AM PDT by John O (God Save America (Please))
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To: Tarpon

The Bull Shark is probably responsible for more attacks than any other species. It hunts in the surf zone where it 'feels' for it's food in the turbid water. That's were human bathers can be found.

It tends to hit fast & hard and can snap a leg like a matchstick. If that isn't 'aggressive' I don't know what is.


45 posted on 06/27/2005 11:24:22 AM PDT by Tallguy
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To: Paradox
A 54 year old surfer? I can just picture that guy, still in the "dude" phase of life.. but ya know what? He is a HERO in my eyes, and deserves alot of credit.

Congressman Dana Rohrbacher, representing Huntington Beach California is a 50+ surfer.

Many of them, around these parts.

46 posted on 06/27/2005 11:43:53 AM PDT by truth_seeker
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To: John O
The surf zone belongs to man we need to start enforcing the no-sharks zone.

Charlie Bull sharks don't surf!


47 posted on 06/27/2005 12:03:51 PM PDT by gura
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To: Tallguy
The bull shark is one of many that frequent the Florida surf line, the bull shark is just the biggest common shark, but we have a dozen plus species that are regularly seen near the beach and in the shallows. It is common to think any shark is a bull shark when in fact it can be a reef or nurse shark -- all these look very similar. I fish for shark many times a year and catch my share of bull, reef, nurse, spinner, black tip to name a few types. Any can be dangerous and all can inflict a nasty bite. It's only the rare tiger shark and the hammerhead that is a man eater.

The surf around the Gulf coast of Florida is usually crystal clear, unless a storm stirs it up. It's not like the surf you find in Texas which is quite turbid. From the air off Florida beaches you can clearly see the bottom and the sharks in ten feet of water or less. But they aren't aggressive and do not frequently attack swimmers -- you can see them lazily swimming the beach with swimmers nearby, sometimes hilariously close, as condo dwellers will tell you, they do not attack often. I am talking hundreds of them, not just a few. So if they were aggressive attackers of humans there would be plenty of shark attacks daily.

No doubt the bull shark, because of it's numbers and common larger size, bite humans more than the others. I sure wouldn't treat a shark friendly even if I knew it wasn't a bull shark -- that would be a big mistake.

Not a shark expert, I just swim with them and fish for them regularly :) On any given day when I go out in the boat I see a few shark -- they are very common, more so than the tourist bureau would like you to believe.

By all means, tourists should not pet the sharks ;)
48 posted on 06/27/2005 12:06:30 PM PDT by Tarpon
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To: ppaul

What a brave man.

May God bless him for his courage and bravery.


49 posted on 06/27/2005 12:37:36 PM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: dead

Was THAT the shark that did this to the girl?

It's HUGE!


50 posted on 06/27/2005 12:38:51 PM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: ppaul
Using himself as live bait, Dicus said, ``I swam away from them and started slapping the water and kicking to distract the shark.

God Bless this incredibly brave young man

George Burgess, a researcher at the University of Florida, who investigates shark attacks worldwide, was at the scene and called the attack ''unusual'' for Florida water, mainly because of the shark's aggression.

This was not a normal Florida attack, Burgess said. Usually a shark will make a mistake, thinking it's a fish, Burgess said. ``In this instance, the shark apparently very knowingly went after a large prey item and persistently tried to follow through on its normal feeding behavior, which would be to come back and attack again and again.

It was the third unprovoked fatality this year, he said.

They seem to have found an appetite for human flesh...time to kill them all

51 posted on 06/27/2005 12:39:26 PM PDT by joesnuffy (Just trying to get in touch with my inner tagline..got feelers out but not much luck so far)
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To: Ellesu

She is a very pretty girl.

When I see statements like this though:

"Belsome, who spent time with the family Sunday, said that despite the tragedy, the family took solace in that she died while having fun with a good friend."

I just have to roll my eyes. Friend of no friend present it is a sad tragedy. The "fun" turned out to be a horrific tragedy and her life is valuable.


52 posted on 06/27/2005 12:41:12 PM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: Ellesu

She is a very pretty girl.

When I see statements like this though:

"Belsome, who spent time with the family Sunday, said that despite the tragedy, the family took solace in that she died while having fun with a good friend."

I just have to roll my eyes. Friend or no friend present it is a sad tragedy. The "fun" turned out to be a horrific tragedy and a valuable and precious life was lost.
Prayers for her family and loved ones.


53 posted on 06/27/2005 12:42:18 PM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: ClearBlueSky

Right on! I am taking the family to Destin the second week of August. Here's the plan: Boogie boards out, skimmers in. No way are my kids going to be anywhere close to 100 yards out.


54 posted on 06/27/2005 12:49:54 PM PDT by Hokie Bird
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To: Tallguy

The increasing frequency of shark attacks on humans is due to diminishing baitfish, in turn due to the growing world population.


55 posted on 06/27/2005 1:06:11 PM PDT by henderson field
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To: Old Grumpy
He had a lot of courage to hit the shark, especially from a surfboard.

Courage yer butt!

Shear desperation and survival instincts says me!

56 posted on 06/27/2005 1:07:16 PM PDT by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going....)
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To: daybreakcoming

I think that's exactly the quote I was thinking of but I couldnt' remember anything but the gist! Thanks!
susie


57 posted on 06/27/2005 1:15:03 PM PDT by brytlea (Yes, there are Republican teachers...)
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To: Maigrey

Thank you, that's what I was thinking of!
susie


58 posted on 06/27/2005 1:15:42 PM PDT by brytlea (Yes, there are Republican teachers...)
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To: dead
This may be a dumb question...but based on the picture that shark is only 20yards from shore in less then 6 feet of water. Why is it still alive?
59 posted on 06/27/2005 1:17:37 PM PDT by Durus
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To: joesnuffy
God Bless this incredibly brave young man

Dicus is 54, around my age. He is brave, and thank you for thinking that's young!
60 posted on 06/27/2005 1:20:03 PM PDT by af_vet_rr
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