Editor's note: This footage might be disturbing to some.

Three Florida men face charges in connection with a viral video showing a shark being dragged behind a boat at high speed.

On Tuesday, following a months-long investigation, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced charges against Michael Wenzel, 21, Robert Lee Benac, 28, and Spencer Heintz, 23. Each is charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty. Wenzel and Benac each face an additional misdemeanor charge of "illegal method of take."

The video surfaced in July shows a shark being pulled behind the speeding boat and battered in the boat's wake. Three men are shown in the video pointing and laughing at the animal.

The video spread on social media sites and quickly drew outrage and a criminal investigation.

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FWC said in a press release it conducted a four-month investigation, which included probing the suspects' social media posts as well as discussions with shark experts and interviews.

Local State Attorney Andrew H. Warren described the incident as "senseless and unjustifiable animal cruelty."

The case even drew the ire of Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who applauded officers in finding the suspects.

"I was outraged by the sickening video of a shark being horribly abused earlier this year," Scott said in a tweet, "and I am proud of the hard work of (FWC) law enforcement during this investigation."

The three men have been bonded out of the Hillsborough County Jail.

Follow Sean Rossman on Twitter: @SeanRossman