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Teen bitten by shark, Pinellas officials say

Tribune photo by SCOTT ISKOWITZ

The 19-year-old victim, who was swimming near one of these boat docks, was taken to Bayfront Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening.

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By RAY REYES rreyes@tampatrib.com

and SAMARA SODOS slsodos@wfla.com

Published: July 22, 2009

Updated: 07/22/2009 05:29 pm

ST. PETE BEACH - A teenager is believed to have been bitten by a shark Wednesday in the Intracoastal waters off Boca Ciega Drive, not far from where a man was killed by a shark nine years ago.

The 19-year-old, who was bitten in the lower right leg while swimming with her sister, was taken to Bayfront Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening, St. Pete Beach Fire Marshall Ernie Hand said.

The attack was a few yards from a dock in the in the 7100 block of Boca Ciega Drive about 3 p.m. Medics said the laceration on the girl's leg makes a shark attack the most likely source of the wound.

"It's identical to what you'd find in a shark attack," Hand said.

The 19-year-old bit by the shark is Jenna James, said her cousin, Courtney Morris. She said James is from the area and is a New York University student.

"My heart sank," Morris said. "It's always scary to know someone who has been attacked by a shark."

Some residents say they've stopped swimming in Boca Ciega Bay since 69-year-old Thadeus Kubinski was killed by a shark while swimming near his dock in 2000.

People jumping from docks into the water can startle sharks, Florida Aquarium spokesman Tom Wagner said. Sharks then often check out what surprised them - and they do that with their mouths, Wagner said.

"You have a startled animal and it responded with an instinctive behavior," Wagner said. "Sharks don't look at people as food."

Tribune reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920. News Channel 8 reporter Samara Sodos can be reached at (813) 314-5379.

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