Police Chief: Shark Found in Lake Guntersville “Hoax”

Picture of shark (Courtesy: Michael Carter)

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) – According to Guntersville Police Chief Jim Peterson, a shark found on the banks of Lake Guntersville was a hoax.  The shark was found there, but officials don’t believe it had been in the lake.

Peterson says Michael Carter, a fisherman, found the shark Wednesday morning at a boat ramp near the Outlaw Steak House.

Peterson says a biologist came and examined the shark.  The biologist determined the fish had clearly been dead for days and was in an advanced state of decomposition.

Chief Peterson believes someone brought the shark up from the Gulf of Mexico and dumped it in the area.  The shark was later thrown in the trash.

Contrary to other media reports, neither the Alabama Marine Police nor the Alabama Department of Conservation are investigating.