Disgusting PETA ad which claims shark attack victims 'have it coming' is affront to family of honeymooner killed in attack as he snorkelled in shallow water of Seychelle
- Ian Redmond was killed by a shark in the Seychelles just last month
- 'Insult' comes as British man Michael Cohen is left fighting for his life after being attacked off the coast of South Africa yesterday
- PETA want to put up billboards in areas where shark attacks happen, but locals say if they see them they will 'burn them down'
They are well known for their shocking adverts with some of the world's most famous people posing naked to help boost their animal rights message.
But this time PETA may have gone too far with its latest campaign, which suggests those who swim or fish in waters containing sharks are attacked or killed as 'payback'.
The new poster shows a shark eating a severed human leg and the blood-stained slogan 'Payback is Hell', which aims to shock people into turning vegan.
Controversial: The PETA advertisement may upset many whose loved ones have been hurt or killed in shark attacks
PETA say that in particular they hope it will make people rethink fishing, suggesting if people inflict pain on sealife they deserve it themselves.
This could be considered particularly offensive as British man Michael Cohen was yesterday left fighting for his life after he was attacked by a great white shark while swimming in the sea near Cape Town, South Africa.
It could also be seen as an affront to the family of British honeymooner Ian Redmond who was attacked and killed as he went snorkelling yards off a Seychelles beach in August.
Jeanne Vargiolu, 56, the owner of Le Chevalier restaurant on the beach, said Mrs Redmond was saying she ‘still had hope’ for her husband as he lay on the beach.
The newly married Mr Redmond, from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, had enjoyed a honeymoon lunch with his new wife Gemma before the couple headed to the Anse Lazio beach in the Seychelles.
But tragedy struck when Mr Redmond was attacked while swimming in relatively shallow waters around 20 yard from shore.
He lost an arm and suffered horrendous injuries to his left leg, as well as bite marks on his torso and hips.
Holidaymakers tried desperately to save him as he lay bleeding on the beach while others kept Mrs Redmond back to spare her the horror of his injuries.
‘I saw his wife talking to about five people, I think one was English, that she still had hope he was still alive,’ she said.
Speaking last month, 27-year-old primary school teacher Mrs Redmond, who during the drama refused to believe her husband was dead, paid tribute to Mr Redmond.
She spoke movingly of the man who had been her partner for nine years and husband for a mere ten days.
‘My husband and my best friend was tragically killed’ she said. ‘I loved him so much and he was a very special husband, a thoughtful son and a devoted brother.
‘He worked tirelessly to give us both a wonderful married life and home and I want to thank him for nine years of joy. We were having so much fun and we were so excited about our future together.
'Myself, our families and our friends are devastated and shocked by what has happened. The loss of Ian has left a gaping hole in our hearts that will never be filled.
‘He was always calm and collected, strong and brave, witty and intelligent, handsome and caring, a remarkable individual who will be deeply and sorely missed.'
In the South Africa attack on Tuesday 43-year-old Mr Cohen was bitten 'numerous times' by a ten-foot-long shark, which ripped off the lower part of his right leg and part of his left foot.
Despite his injuries the man managed to drag himself onto the beach, from where he was rushed to hospital. He was yesterday in a critical condition.
The attack happened in the Cape Town suburb of Fish Hoek: an area that is notorious for sharks, especially at this time of year when they are known to be more numerous and more likely to attack.
Meanwhile last weekend, Charles 'CJ' Wickersham was spearfishing with friends in the Gulf of Mexico when a 9ft bull shark bit him in the left leg.
It tore so hard that his thigh bone was exposed beneath a 15in gash.
PETA have wished the victim well, but say this is an example of the 'payback' the poster campaign highlights.
Mr Wickersham, 21, only survived because six of his friends dashed into the water and pulled him to safety.
Connor Bystrom, who was in the boat with Wickersham, told Good Morning America: 'All of a sudden he started screaming and we knew it wasn’t good.
'Within seconds there was just a pool of blood around him.'
PETA activist Ashely Byrne said: 'It may be an unusual way to get the message across, but I think it will cause people to be more sensitive towards fish.
'We are certainly glad the man is going to be alright, but we hope he and other fishermen will use this as an opportunity to rethink fishing.'
PETA wants the illustration placed on billboards and benches around Anna Maria.
But Mayor Michael Selby says that won't happen.
Mr Selby said: 'We have no billboards in the city, and we do not allow advertising on our trolley benches.'
One angler says this is PETA's 'typical propaganda.'
Shark angler Bill Goldschmitt said: 'If I see one of those billboards that they plan on putting up, I will burn it down.'
'This is a human we are talking about. A lot of these animal rights activists look at the things being done to animals and don't seem to recognize what is being done to humans.'
PETA officials say this is not the first time they have tried to install signs after a shark attack on a human.
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