The three Manatee County men accused of abusing a shark in an incident caught on video have pleaded not guilty. 

A hearing was held on Wednesday. 

All three men waived their court appearances and entered written not guilty pleas.  

The men, Michael Wenzel, 21, of Palmetto, Robert Benac, 28, of Bradenton and Spencer Heintz, 23, of Palmetto are facing charges of animal cruelty. Benac and Wenzel also are facing charges of illegally catching the shark. 

Those charges came after a four-month long investigation into the video from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Hillsborough County State Attorney's Office. 

The video went viral upon its release and prompted outrage on social media.  

Their next court appearance is scheduled for March 6.