Seriously?? Can I say red neck target shooting?! This was an injured turtle; there's NO reason what so ever to shoot it three times. Obviously a veterinarian or an animal specialist was not called to find the most HUMANE way to end this turtles life. VERY disappointed in how this was handled!

I really can't believe what I am reading.

Absolutely disgusting. This turtle was seriously injured and if it could not be helped should have been humanely euthanized. Is the Avon police a bunch of redneck hillbillies?

I do believe that the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center is right around the corner in Bay. There had to be a way to humanely deal with this. Surely Avon can afford to pay the nature center to handle this or euthanize out of the view of the public. Right?

I agree with all of the above comments. My first thought would have been to call anyone who might know a little more about turtles, and what to do with it!

This makes my blood boil. You are so right Cheri, except that bullets only cost 15 cents, but transporting it to LENSC would have cost $2.00 in gas. Not to menchion bragging rights among the force. There is no real training anymore.

If the turtle was severely injured, shooting it immediately ends its suffering. Loading, transporting and setting up for a euthanization takes time, all the while Mr. Turtle is in agony. Just so you can feel better about humanely killing it? I'm a big animal person but at the time, it was probably the best course of action for the little guy.

Without going into the gory details, I can tell you the turtle was reportedly in a bad, bad way.

Nothing better to do? This is just sick.

Why would you post a photo of a box turtle, when the turtle in question was obviously a snapping turtle?

The city is safer because our officers were willing to use their firearms. That turtle could not be allowed to remain in the road. It was a hazard. When will the people in this town quit feeding the turtles? They wouldn't be near people if people didn't feed them!

They shoot horses, don't they?

Funny people, funny. Johnny, maybe it was a Mata Mata Turtle. Go ahead, ask what's a mata.

They should have called turtle man.

But 3 shots? for such a speedy target?
What if it was.... say a rabbit, or a chcken?
Do they take away marksman points for missing?

Box turtles are a 'species of concern' according to the ODNR division of wildlife, because of thoughtless drivers who make no attempt to avoid running over them when they amble across the roads. Many other types of turtles in the US are listed as endangered species, so are (supposedly) better protected from humans.

The turtle should have been taken to a vet, animal refuge etc, to see if it could be saved, not shot 3 times by a trigger happy cop who couldn't be bothered dealing with the creatures well being. For a cop to just stand there and shoot the poor creature, 3 times for gods sake, was inhumane and cruel. If he can be so cold and callous to shoot a defenceless creature so easily, I can only imagine what he'd be like with a defencesless human being laying injured on the side of the road.

So sad to read this. It was bad enough that the poor turtle was hit and injured, but to then be shot 3 times (!) in addition? That is so inhumane. Why couldn't someone just take it to a vet for help or euthanasia if that was necessary? Better yet, why don't the police stations have lists of vets or even certified animal rehabbers who can be called for help in situations like this? I also think that maybe our policemen need some genuine training in how to help our animal friends too, if this is the kind of behavior they are practicing.

None of you have ever tried to pick up a snaping turtle, it can take off a hand and can snap quickly!!! All said the officer made need a little target practice..

So was it a snapping turtle or a box turtle?

what about a middleburg cop shoots kitten 10 years ago