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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsDiver's capture of a beloved giant Pacific octopus sparks outrage
Monday, November 5, 2012 9:59am PST
By: Pete Thomas, GrindTV.com
For scuba divers off Seattle's Cove 2, one of the coolest sightings is that of a giant Pacific octopus, an intelligent and mysterious creature that is a master of disguise and, thus, typically elusive.
And apparently, one of the most uncool acts is to capture and kill one of these remarkable creatures, especially while other divers are present.
That's what Dylan Miller, 19, did during a recent dive, and the episode went viral. Critics surfaced on dive sites, blogs and social media platforms, hammering Miller even though he had a fishing license and did not violate any laws.
He said he killed the 80-pound octopus to draw it for an art project, and for its meat. But he has since received threats and, like an octopus, is trying to keep a low profile.
--snip--
More at the link:
http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/blog/40201/divers+capture+of+a+beloved+giant+pacific+octopus+sparks+outrage/
Raster
(20,997 posts)....torturing and killing animals, and bragged about it on his FB page: forcing a firecracker into a snake's mouth and then igniting the firecracker; and using a porcupine as a kickball.
This psychopath in the making has changed his story SEVERAL TIMES. Others following the story have theorized he's now being advised by legal counsel to change his story to offer the most cover.
Google it... this was more than just a kid diving and killing an octopus.
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)DaniDubois
(154 posts)in the making. I'm guessing he's an evangelical Christian and a Republican, he'd do well in the military but these types are always to sissy to join because they're to afraid of getting their butts kicked by something that can defend it's self.
MADem
(135,425 posts)If you know people are going to be annoyed, it's probably not a good idea to kill a "Bambi of the Sea."
He did say that he didn't realize people were going to get so upset, and he made a few other points that were salient.
Since the game warden investigated and found him not in violation of any law, it's all down to societal charges of "bad form."
Raster
(20,997 posts)however, the area is a known diver fave area. The area - and this octopus - were known to the Puget Sound diving community.
He only commented about people being so upset when the outpouring of negativity was overwhelming. He also stated - and then quickly retracted - that he would be back the next day and the next and kill another octopus if people did not get off his case.
And as I pointed out, he has a penchant for torturing animals and then bragging about it.
MADem
(135,425 posts)I'm not going to defend the guy, but I'm not going to jump on the Torch/Pitchfork bandwagon, either. I don't know anything about him, and I didn't see anything in the article that suggested he had a history of antisocial behavior.
Does he have a criminal record for torturing animals, or is that just a rumor?
Raster
(20,997 posts)And no, not a rumor about the animal abuse that was on his FB page. His story and his FB page has changed considerably over the past few days.
Google it. There have been stories in both the Seattle Times Herald and The Seattle PI. Read the comments to the articles. They definitely add to the story. It is believed that his family got legal advice and they advised him to clean up the trash talk, clear the FB page of anything abusive and change his story.
No pitchforks here. However, the real story is not what it appears.
MADem
(135,425 posts)I got a bunch of stuff this--he sounds like an insensitive jerk, people are threatening to kill him, his name is MUD... but there's no illegality, according to all the reports
:
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Octopus-hunter-Its-no-different-than-fishing-177044741.html
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Local-divers-outraged-over-killing-of-octopus-176909661.html
http://www.kuow.org/post/octopus-killing-fuels-scuba-diver-activism
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/05/dylan-mayer-diver-death-threats-giant-octopus-seattle-_n_2075470.html
I don't doubt that the kid is a putz, but until the law is changed, there's nothing to be done. I am betting he will be laying low for some time, now.
Raster
(20,997 posts)...best way to make this area into a marine preserve.
And yes, octopus can be tasty. I typically won't eat them because of their intelligence, and because I am absolutely fascinated by octopus. Very interesting creatures. If I am going to eat cephalopods, I prefer squid.
MADem
(135,425 posts)I won't go out of my way to eat the poor little octopi, but I used to live in Japan and my friends would jump off the pier and snag a few when we'd be out and about and hungry, and we'd eat them with wasabi and beer. No prep save a quick rinse. They weren't huge like that one, though, they were small and didn't put up a fight, poor things. They were delicious, though...! I'd be lying if I didn't acknowledge that!
HopeHoops
(47,675 posts)alphafemale
(18,497 posts)Especially if it didn't crush him but just held onto him until he ran out of air. That would be so tragic.
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Really, was that necessary?
BlueMan Votes
(903 posts)i was on a night dive, and was trying to grab a decent sized shell, only to find that an octopus had his own plans for that shell. i pulled, he pulled, and ultimately he won i let him keep it.
stuntcat
(12,022 posts)dick dick dick