Elias Levy / CC
A duck hunter in Port Medway, Queens County, is raising a red flag about an alarming encounter he experienced while pursuing his waterfowl sport. The hunter, who has chosen to remain anonymous, wants to alert fellow outdoor enthusiasts to the potential dangers lurking in the coastal waters off Medway Head. On Wednesday, during a routine sea-duck hunting expedition, his faithful companion, a Chesapeake Bay retriever named Pepper, fell victim to a sudden and violent shark attack.
The incident unfolded in the serene waters near Frying Pan Island, just off the Medway Head lighthouse, where several boats were positioned that morning. The hunter embarked from Port Medway harbor at around 8 a.m., joined by Pepper, his loyal four-legged partner.
At the heart of the issue is the practice of deploying dogs to retrieve waterfowl in calm ocean conditions. Hunters in the area have traditionally employed this method, given that it aligns with the instincts and training of these dogs. It was this very practice that led to Pepper’s harrowing encounter with a marine predator.
According to the hunter, the first part of the day proceeded without incident. Pepper diligently retrieved a duck in placid waters, showcasing her expertise. However, the situation took a terrifying turn when the hunter shot down a second duck at approximately 9 a.m. This fateful shot caused the bird to land roughly 20 feet from the boat, prompting Pepper to leap into action. As she swam back towards the boat with her prize, an enormous shark abruptly burst forth from the depths below, lifting her into the air before plunging her beneath the surface. The hunter, who was observing the unfolding drama, admits that the attack happened with such swiftness and shock that he could not definitively identify the type of shark responsible.
He approximated the shark’s length at about 2.4 meters. Pepper ultimately resurfaced and began a feeble struggle back toward the safety of the boat. The hunter managed to pull her to safety, but the injuries she sustained were severe, and she succumbed shortly afterward. The shark did not reappear, as the hunter’s immediate attention was consumed by the perilous condition of his loyal companion.
Overcome with shock and grief, the hunter returned to the shore, his day forever marked by the traumatic encounter. He remains convinced that this incident is a highly unusual and extraordinary event. Despite this, he feels a moral obligation to share his story as a stark warning to others engaged in hunting, surfing, or boating activities along the coast. It’s important to note that he was in relatively shallow waters, approximately 20 feet deep, and Pepper had only been in the ocean for a matter of minutes.
In his statement, the hunter emphasized, “To my knowledge, this is the first time a dog has been taken during a sea-ducking hunt, and it is certainly the first time I have witnessed the violence of such an attack so close to my boat.”
