NIAGARA COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVB)- A graphic cell phone video has several Akron High students in trouble with the law for animal abuse.
It was taken at a party in Niagara County June 6; it shows teenage boys repeatedly beating a snapping turtle with a pitchfork and a baseball bat, then throwing it into a fire.
“This is more than just a beating of a turtle, this is very, very violent,” said Erie County SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigator Bill Heine.
When the video was uploaded to Facebook, Akron High officials turned it into the SPCA.
“I’ve seen abuse after it’s happened, but to actually have the evidence taking place, is quite earth-shattering,” Heine told News 4.
The video, he said, will make prosecuting the boys involved nearly a sure thing.
The boy who brought the turtle to the party, found it in Erie County.
“He didn’t realize what was going to happen to the animal, if he knew that was going to be outcome, he had stated to us that he would have never brought it,” said Niagara County SPCA Animal Cruelty Investigator, Lauren Zaninovich.
The offense took place in Niagara County, so Zaninovich is heading up the investigation.
The boy who brought the turtle is facing several DEC violations.
Two other boys involved in torturing and dismembering the animal are facing similar violations, plus criminal animal cruelty charges from the SPCA.
But a fourth teenager, seen in the video smashing the turtle with a baseball bat, has yet to be found.
“Those who participated it or even watched it, somebody is going to know who that individual is and we’re looking for their help to make sure they come forward with that name,” Zaninovich said.
She told News 4 she’s confident the fourth person involved will be identified and charged.
Turtle hunting season is July 1-Sept. 30, but there are strict regulations; only a certain amount may be killed in a day, and they must be killed by handgun or bow, so this turtle was killed illegally.
The three boys involved currently all have big game hunting licenses; the SPCA is recommending those get revoked.
If you have any information on the fourth boy involved, you’re urged to call Investigator Lauren Zaninovich at 716-731-4368 ext. 302
Original Story: http://wivb.com/2015/07/08/graphic-animal-abuse-caught-on-camera/
