Baby shark falls from sky in Virginia Beach

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) – A baby shark fell from the grips of a large bird and into a backyard on the north end of the Oceanfront.

The 13-inch dogfish shark, often referred to as a sand shark, was found dead laying near a pond in Sue Bowser’s wooded backyard off 77th Street June 26.

“This could be the shark house, but hopefully not too many more will be falling from the sky,” said Bowser. “The kids found it, and they came upstairs and they were all excited and said, ‘We found a shark in the backyard.’”

Bowser doubted her five-year-old grandson who spotted the shark, but she soon discovered the shark for herself. She believes the shark was killed by a large osprey.

“There’s a little mark on his side where the talons probably went in, and it’s a little bloody on the side where the talons had poked him,” she said.

Bowser has kept the shark in her garage freezer for a week now, positioned right next to her homemade applesauce.

“I would like to preserve the shark because a lot of people have asked about it and I think it’s just so unique,” said Bowser.

The shark has baby teeth and becomes slippery and smooth when thawing out, says Bowser.

The shark has become the talk of the neighborhood, she says, and she plans to keep it frozen for a few more weeks in order to continue showing it off to family and friends.

There’s no word on whether the shark will be buried or if the family will toss it in the garbage.

Bowser says the Virginia Aquarium did not show interest in having the shark.