Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i know this involves turtles and not tortoises, but i know at least a couple of you like myself live in georgia, so this hits a bit close to home (literally).

http://www.ajc.com/news/lawsuit-in-a-nutshell-127667.html

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/I_Team_Turtle_Return_090209

my understanding of this is that they have no proof that this guy was doing anything illegal at all... and now his animals are sick/dying or dead. disgusting.

Yes, the poor guy lost about half his turtles from what I recall, and there seemed to be no valid reason for them being taken away other than that some of them were/are native to GA (keeping ANY native animal as a pet is not allowed in this state without a special permit). He could have been given permission to keep them himself while getting the necessary permit by a more compassionate state agency rather than it seizing them only to mishandle them and let their health deteriorate to the point of their deaths. The animals were assuredly much better off in the owner's possession from what I saw of his setups on TV.

too bad that ***362*** turtles had to die before they could make their minds up, and so many others were harmed.

i sincerely hope that he wins his lawsuit and it stands as an example.

such a sad story. i'm going to hug my tortoise when i get home from work (she might not care but it'll make me feel better).
"Man acquitted of endangerment, but his animals died in custody"