TIMES LEADER (Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania) 10 July 05 Turtle shooting draws criticism - Some, including wildlife control expert, say Exeter officer’s action was overkill. (Kevin Amerman)

Some and animal handlers and local residents question why an Exeter police sergeant shot a snapping turtle twice in the head Friday after it had wandered onto a resident’s yard.

Cindy Starke, a shelter manager for the Luzerne County SPCA, said she was not on the scene Friday and doesn’t know all of the circumstances, but believes the turtle should not have been shot.

“Turtles are slow and cumbersome. It’s not like they’re going to catch up with you. I’m surprised (it was shot). Put it back in the water. That’s what I would have done if I had been there.”

The turtle, estimated to be about 50 pounds, crept onto the Wyoming Avenue yard of James Fino on Friday morning. Fino said he tried to poke the turtle away with a broomstick and the turtle broke it into two pieces with a quick snap of his jaw. Exeter police Sgt. Len Galli was called to the scene and after the turtle snapped at him, he pumped two bullets into its head. Fino said he called police fearing the turtle would bite someone.

“If it can snap a broomstick, it can do the same with fingers, especially children’s fingers,” Starke said. “But I would have definitely researched other options.”

Starke said the turtle could have been covered with a blanket, then lifted and relocated. She said in situations like this, authorities can call the SPCA for advice.

“You’re talking about a serious public relations nightmare when an officer shoots an animal,” said Jason Carter, a certified wildlife control professional who works for ACE Bat and Wildlife Control, which removes animals from residential areas. “In my professional opinion, I don’t think it’s necessary for a police officer to use deadly force in a residential area when an animal is posing no immediate danger.”

Carter said shooting an animal can be justified in certain cases. For example, if a fox or some other wild animal is posing a threat. But he said snapping turtles, which tend to move slowly, don’t pose that type of danger.

“It wasn’t a life-or-death matter,” he said. “It could have been safely removed.”

Carter said the turtle, which was likely lost and confused, could have been relocated by his company for about $75. He said authorities in Monroe County, especially the Pocono Mountain Regional Police, routinely call his company to remove animals rather than handling the matter themselves.

“Usually we say to officers, ‘Stick to the two-legged animals.’ ”

Galli defended his actions on Saturday. He said he tried to scoop the turtle up to relocate it and it snapped at him. He laughed when he was told people were upset.

“It’s not like it’s an endangered species,” he said. “God forbid some kid was hurt. It tried to bite two of us. What was I going to do? It was huge, I’m telling you huge.”

Galli’s actions met with disapproval from regular citizens as well.

“It’s ridiculous. This guy should be fined,” said Charlie Garzilli of Mountain Top, who said he grew up near a lake and has been around turtles for much of his life. “I can’t believe a sergeant in a police force doesn’t know better.”

“If you poke it with a stick, of course the turtle’s going to bite it,” Garzilli said.

John Ferrara of Harveys Lake, a former hunter, called the shooting “unnecessary.”

“How could you do that? This turtle could have been alive for 50 years,” Ferrara said. “Do you really think you couldn’t run away from it? That’s ridiculous. He didn’t have to shoot it.”

Ferrara said he picks up turtles and shows them to his children when he sees them by Harveys Lake. He said he always puts them back.

“I’ve held 25-pound snappers.”
Turtle shooting draws criticism

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