A B.C. man is being investigated for animal cruelty after the SPCA says he drilled holes in a tortoise's shell to create a carrying handle.

Reptile rescuer Mike Hopcraft is now caring for the mutilated tortoise and an abused turtle after what he describes as cruel and unusual treatment.

"He basically installed a handle on his tortoise," Hopcraft told CTV News.

The owner turned over his sulcata tortoise to Hopcraft's rescue group after he said he didn't want it anymore. At the shelter, four holes were discovered drilled through the shell, and a handle held up by wires.

Hopcraft says the owner told him the 30-pound reptile was too awkward to carry.

"Apparently putting a handle on makes it more convenient," he said.

A much lighter box turtle received the same treatment from the same owner, according to Hopcraft. In this case, the owner claimed it was a tether to keep the animal from running away.

A jewel was found glued to the turtle's shell, and rescuers haven't been able to get it off.

The veterinarian treating the reptiles, Adrian Walton, says the drilling would have been painful.

"Underneath the shell is tissue, so this would be like drilling through your fingernail," Walton said.

The distress and pain inflicted on the animals is enough to pursue charges against their former owner, according to the B.C. SPCA.

"We'll most certainly be recommending charges in this particular case. It's a completely senseless and somewhat brutal act against these poor animals," said Marcie Moriarity, the SPCA's general manager of cruelty investigations.

CTV News visited the Delta property where the animals came from. There were other animals on the property, but the owner wasn't home.

The SPCA says it plans to inspect the home next week.
www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101013/bc_tortoise_cruelty_101013/20101013?hub=BritishColumbiaHome

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