Great White shark kills dog in scene echoing JAWS

Reports from Canadian news sources detail an unconfirmed incident involving the unfortunate demise of Pepper, a Chesapeake Bay Retriever. The tragedy unfolded when Pepper was bitten by a juvenile great white shark while retrieving a sea duck near Medway Head in southern Nova Scotia. The incident occurred on a Wednesday.

The unnamed hunter, who experienced this harrowing event, conveyed the details of the shark attack through a written statement provided to SaltWire. The day had commenced with the hunter spending several hours afield, ultimately bagging his second duck around 9 a.m. Pepper had already successfully retrieved the first duck earlier that morning without any issues. However, as she ventured to retrieve the second duck, located approximately 20 feet from the boat, a shark suddenly emerged from beneath her, lifting her into the air and subsequently submerging her.

The hunter, who had been a witness to this rapid and shocking event, was unable to positively identify the type of shark involved, given the swiftness of the incident. Pepper eventually resurfaced and managed to return to the boat, where the hunter promptly pulled her aboard. Tragically, Pepper sustained grievous wounds and succumbed shortly afterward.

While no further details regarding the incident have been disclosed, the hunter did take it upon himself to contact a shark researcher to report the occurrence, expressing his hope that this information would contribute to promoting safety measures regarding shark proximity in ocean activities.

Local shark expert Capt. Art Gaetan of Atlantic Shark Expeditions offered insights into the likely shark species found in waters close to shore at a depth of 20 feet during this time of year. Although it remains unclear if Gaetan is the same researcher contacted by the hunter, he indicated that a great white shark would be the primary candidate. The shark in question is presumed to be a juvenile, based on the hunter's estimate of its size at roughly 2.4 meters or just under 8 feet long.

Gaetan clarified that the shark's intent was not to consume the dog but rather to bite, resulting in Pepper bleeding out. He remarked that Pepper happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, emphasizing that the shark's attack was not a typical occurrence during duck retrievals.

The hunter, who attested to the Chesapeake Bay Retrievers' proficiency in this type of work, stressed that this breed is specifically bred and trained for retrieving waterfowl when ducks fall near the boat, particularly during calm ocean conditions.

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