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Tortoise condition improves, fund set up for vet bills
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Courtesy Photo / Christi Vaughan
Bob, a tortoise who was stolen and mutilated, rests at the Adobe Animal Hospital in Santa Barbara Tuesday afternoon with a feeding tube designed to distribute food and medication.
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Bob, the household tortoise from Ventura who was stolen and mutilated, was awake and stable this morning at animal hospital and is to be transferred to a turtle rehabilitation center by day's end.
"He's probably out of the woods barring any infection," said Jeanie Vaughan, owner of Turtle Dreams, a animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Santa Barbara where Bob will be taken later today and is expected to stay for several weeks and possibly months to recover from his injuries.
The 42-pound African spurred tortoise was awake but traumatized during a morning examination and still has a feeding tube inserted in his stomach to provide food and medication, Vaughan said.
"The fact that he is stable enough to be moved to rehab is a very good sign," said Vaughan, who has been monitoring the brutalized tortoise since he arrived at Adobe Animal Hospital in Santa Barbara. "But these are cold-blooded animals that take a long time to heal, so we will have to keep a close watch."
Meanwhile, an account has been set up at Washington Mutual to help Bob's owners Dorothy and Bill Sullivan with his veterinarian expenses.
The family has been flooded with well-wishers and people offering money for Bob's care since news broke of how the tortoise was snatched over the weekend out of the family's back yard, mutilated and dumped in thick brush behind a Ventura apartment complex.
The family recovered the 25-year-old sulcata tortoise Sunday, and police continue to seek the person or people responsible for his injuries, which included deep lacerations to this neck, arms and legs, and stab wounds to his shell.
Anyone wishing to donate can send money to Washington Mutual, P.O. Box 877, Ventura, CA 93002.
Checks should be made out to William Sullivan in care of Bob, Account No. 492-105108-5. Wire transfer can be routed to Account No. 322271627.
"The outpouring has been overwhelming," Dorothy Sullivan said this morning, adding that she got a phone call from a well-wisher in Montana. "After what happened to Bob, I had lost a lot of faith in the human race. But it's been absolutely wonderful how people are recognizing that Bob needs help and that what was done to him is a serious crime."
The couple, who have a 6-year-old son who is autistic and close to the family tortoise, planned to visit Bob today at the rehab center.
"We can't wait to see him," she said.
Anyone with information about Bob can contact police detectives at 339-4394 or make an anonymous call to Crime Stoppers at 385-TALK. Information that leads to an arrest could result in a reward of up to $1,000, police said.
Posted by lyn_uk1 on July 11, 2007 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there anywhere we can make a donation?
Posted by sbrandenburg on July 11, 2007 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yay!! Let's donate people!!! Even if you just sacrifice your Caramel Macchiatto from Starbuck's today (probably about five bucks), that is better than nothing!! Let's show this little boy that not all humans are total butt-heads!!
Posted by ed.fitzhenry on July 11, 2007 at 2:37 p.m.
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Posted by Whosaidwhat on July 11, 2007 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm so happy Bob survived!! Yey!!!
Posted by tonsbeek on July 11, 2007 at 3 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope they catch the sicko(s) responsible for this and I hope they suffer a worse fate. If you can do this to such an innocent creature just imagine what they can do to a child or any other person.
Posted by layservantofjmj on July 11, 2007 at 3:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yay!!!!..Thankyou for your intercession St Francis of Assisi For Bob !!!
Posted by socalifsunshine on July 11, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yay for Bob! Thanks for getting the bank/donation info up here. I am sending well wishes with the check.
Posted by Franbill on July 11, 2007 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to help out with Bob's care with money, as well as an offer to adopt him should the family be unable to care for him.
This is far-fetched since their autistic son will always need Bob, or maybe Bob will need his friend more at this time. The bond between the two is inextricably linked.
As to the heartless felons, you may have broken a much-loved turtle's parts, but his will, along with the little turtle- whisperer's spirit, is stronger than ever.
Posted by lyn_uk1 on July 11, 2007 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go Bob!! I am thrilled to hear that you are getting better :)
Posted by magiano on July 11, 2007 at 4:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YES EVERYONE, LETS ALL PITCH IN AND HELP BOB! I can give up a week of starbucks mocha's to help this family. Anyone who is a pet owner knows how much pets mean to any family and no one usually has insurance on pets. I'm sending my check today. Hopefully Bob will recover fully and get back home to continue helping their son.
Posted by math_spirit on July 11, 2007 at 5 p.m. (Suggest removal)
YOU GO BOB!!!! We're rooting for you in Sacramento.
To the low life that did this to Bob, fear the KARMA!!
Posted by magiano on July 11, 2007 at 5:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TO THE SULLIVAN FAMILY...I just wanted you to know I have sent on your story to the 3 news stations here in my city of Santa Maria and also to the LA Times, asking them to run it so maybe more people can help out Bob. Let's keep our fingers crossed they run the story along with the info on where to make donations! :)
Posted by I_LOVE_VENTURA on July 11, 2007 at 5:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If anyone out there knows the dirtbag who did this - do the right thing and call the Ventura PD asap!
I hope Bob has a speedy recovery so he can get home to his family soon!
Posted by kpquinn264 on July 11, 2007 at 9:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You GO Bob! I hope they catch the scum that did this. I hope my check will in some small way help Bob and his parents, the Sullivans. My heart just broke when I heard this story. Let's everyone cheer on Bob and his recovery! To the Sullivans, I say, hang in there, there are those of us who do care, it is just those morons that ruin the human race for the rest of us.
Posted by dsull37449 on July 11, 2007 at 10:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you all so very much. I am so overwhelmed with the outpouring of love,kindness, and money that wonderful people have sent to Bob. My faith in humanity has been restored, due to the selfless actions of complete strangers. I have explained this to my son, in hopes that he will understand that there are more good people than bad. He has asked me several times a day "why did someone hurt Bob"? This has been a tough question for me to answer. I have read these comments to William to show him, that there are more wonderful people than bad people. Thankyou so much for showing the positive side of our society to William and Bob. Forever gratefull, the Sullivan family.
Posted by dsull37449 on July 12, 2007 at 6:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We were able to visit with Bob early last night. William gave Bob a very gently hug. I spoke softly to Bob until he fell asleep. It was so sad to see how traumatized he is, normally when he sees me, he comes out of his shell. At this time he is not trusting of humans, I pray that this will change, and Bob will learn to trust again. We are watching him for signs of infection, and trying to get him strong again. I will find a way to keep everyone updated on Bob the Tortoise. Dorothy Sullivan
Posted by lilhlfpint on July 12, 2007 at 8:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there a way to make donations online via PayPal or a similar method?
Posted by jm332007 on July 12, 2007 at 9:45 a.m.
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Posted by KC on July 12, 2007 at 10:36 a.m.
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Posted by magiano on July 12, 2007 at 10:43 a.m.
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Posted by RC on July 12, 2007 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
geez this story is still making headlines?
Posted by sog55 on July 13, 2007 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
my thoughts exactly rc.
Posted by bluestew on July 15, 2007 at 5:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea, I hope this story "is still making headlines" till the human waste that did this crime are caught and punished. I'd much rather read a story about something that invokes love, than crap like Party girl Paris H and her drunken rehabers. that contribute absolutely nothing to the human race.
There is nothing in the headline other than hate anymore. Bob hated no one. Get well soon Bob.
Posted by florieflowers on July 21, 2007 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hello,
I am in Phoenix, Arizona, and heard about this story shortly before going to bed last night. I found it hard to sleep, thinking of Bob hiding in his shell while someone tortured him. Today, I'm still haunted by this story, and find the pictures of Bob heartbreaking. I am so sorry, and I hope that Bob will make a full recovery. Give him a turtle kiss for his animal-loving friends here in Phoenix. I'll be sending him a card & donation. Best Wishes to your family, Susan
Posted by florieflowers on July 21, 2007 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi Again,
Can someone please post the latest information on Bob's recovery? Thank you.
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