Search:
StoriesVideos
Home Great Pets 

Story

Shark Bites 13-Year-Old Girl Wading Along New Smyrna Beach

Tuesday, August 12, 2008 – updated: 5:30 pm EDT August 12, 2008

Once again, Volusia County proved it's the shark bite capitol of the world. This time it wasn't a surfer who was attacked, it was a 13-year-old girl playing in the water Tuesday.

The attack happened in a different place than they usually do, a good mile and a half south of where most of the New Smyrna Beach bites occurred. It's a beach that is more popular with tourists that surfers.

One of the many people enjoying a calm Tuesday on New Smyrna Beach was 13-year-old Emma Klopchin from upstate New York. She was wading in chest deep water when she felt something grab on to her lower right leg.

"All of the sudden, she felt the bite, looked down and immediately ran to shore," said Garry Mac, Bert Fish Medical Center.

A couple of nurses who happened to be on the beach treated the deep cut and puncture wounds until paramedics could arrive. Doctors at Bert Fish, by now familiar with treating bites, were likely going to take care of it with stitches once they cleaned out what the shark left behind.

"The think they have found one of the shark's teeth, maybe part of a tooth, in the wound and that will be Emma's souvenir to take home," Mac said.

Last year, there were 17 bites for the entire season and Tuesday's bite has 2008's number already at 16.

At New Smyrna Beach, there are more shark attacks per square mile than on any other beach in the world. If you've been swimming there, you've likely been within just 10 feet of a shark. There have been 210 attacks in Volusia County since 1982. The main reason is the area is rich with bait-fish and Volusia County is where sharks go to feed.

More Pet Slideshows

Pooch Planet

Life Is Good
No leashes or feline-kind allowed around here, this one is for the canine crew. It's not that we dislike cats, in fact, we love the furry critters, and they're some of our favorite chase, er-uh, playmates. If you're a dog-person, and your dog is a dog's dog, post your pooch's pic in this DOGS ONLY slideshow. Submit Photos
LATEST 'PUPLOADS': Dogs Only - Volume #10
PURELY PUPS! #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 | #7 | #8 | #9

Purr-fect Pals

Double Vision
Canines can be cute, but let's face fact; they're just not quite as refined, or as adorable, as the feline. We'll stretch, scratch, stalk, pounce and catnap our way to cuteness. Capture a moment in time with your cute critter and share the photo in this CATS ONLY slideshow! Submit Photos
NEWEST PHOTOS: Cats Only - Volume #5
JUST CATS: Volume #4 | #3 | #2 | #1

Pets On Vacation

Cruisin'
Don't board your pets, BOARD an RV and travel together! Visit Giant Recreation World and discover the fun, freedom and flexibility of the whole family traveling together...even your four-legged members! In fact, most pets love to travel. They want to be with their people-family wherever that might be. About half of all RVers bring along an animal friend on their trips. Submit Photo
TRAVEL TIPS: RVing with Your Pets
UPLOAD: Your Vacation Pet Photo
IMAGES: Pets On Vacation

Pets And People

Family Photo
SMILE! Behind every Great Pet, there are great people...or something like that. Our pets are part of our families, and we've all got those favorite photos taken with our best friend. So, say cheese, Central Florida pet owners, and share your favorite pictures of you or your family with your favorite friends.
SAY CHEESE: Submit Your Photo
NEWEST: Family Album
ARCHIVE: Pets & Peeps | You & You Know Who

Lost And Found

Is your pet lost? Maybe you've found a pet and would like to help them find their home. Use our virtual pound to help reunite lost companions. Full Story ››
LOST & FOUND: View Slideshow

Ask The Vet

Pets get sick, too. If your dog looks like he's in the doldrums, or your cat is acting peculiar, your companion might be under the weather. Use our Great Pets Health Blog to ask questions or read informative Questions & Answers between other Central Florida pet owners and our experts at the SPCA of Central Florida. Full Story ››

Fun, Furry Friends

Sprite
They're incredibly cute, ever-curious, brazenly fearless and often quite funny. Great Pets viewer Arlena Parrish gives us a glimpse into the playful world her abundant 'ferret family.'
Ferret Family Slideshow

Reptile Realm

North Florida King Snake
With some research and the right equipment, people can find lizards and snakes to be excellent pets. Full Story ››

Local Deals