After watching a viral video showing two boys' fishing rods being broken by a railway officer, William Dunn, owner of Take A Kid Fishing Inc. , felt compelled to help.
The video, which has more than 30,000 views, shows the boys being removed from railway tracks near Russel Park by a Seminole Gulf Railway officer, who broke their fishing rod in the process.
Josue Miguel, one of the boys, recounted the incident, saying, "He dragged me by my shirt, broke my pole, threw it, and put me in handcuffs."
Moved by the video, Dunn, whose nonprofit helps kids experience the joys of fishing, decided to offer the boys new gear and invite them on a fishing trip.
"I want to show them that good can come from a bad situation," Dunn said.
The boys, who received a trespassing warning, have learned their lesson.
"I'm not going to fish on the tracks anymore," Josue said.
Though the Seminole Gulf Railway had no comment on the officer’s actions, Dunn is eager to turn this negative experience into a positive one, giving the boys a chance to enjoy fishing the right way.
"I want to make this a great day for them," Dunn added.