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Tortoise, a friend to an autistic boy, is mutilated
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Photo courtesy of the Sullivan family Bob, a 42-pound tortoise, was snatched and brutalized over the weekend.
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UPDATE: Bob's condition has improved. You can read about it here.
Bob, a friendly, 42-pound African tortoise, remains in intensive care in a Santa Barbara animal hospital after the pet was snatched from the backyard of a Ventura home over the weekend, mutilated and left to die behind an apartment complex.
Authorities are asking for the public's help in solving the case, believed to be one of the worst incidents of animal abuse in Ventura in years and one that could bring felony charges.
Bob's neck and leathery legs were slashed and his dark green shell was stabbed repeatedly in a possible effort to re-create an episode of the Discovery Channel's Man vs. Wild cable television show, where the military-trained host kills and eats a tortoise to survive, an anonymous caller told the family.
"What they did to Bob was heinous and despicable, and we are hopeful that someone will come forward to police," Dorothy Sullivan, Bob's owner, said.
Bob was more than a household pet to the Sullivans, whose 6-year-old son William is autistic and until a couple years ago didn't speak to humans, communicating instead through sign language.
But with Bob, the little blond boy, who also has the rare neuron-genetic disorder Angelman syndrome, was a regular chatterbox. The approachable reptile opened an inexplicable window into William's inner world, and the boy would bare details of his days at school and of private life, his mother said.
"William was devastated and physically sick when he saw what happened to Bob," his mother said.
Bob, believed to be about 25, was snatched from the Sullivan's home in the 100 block of East Center Street between 5 and 6 p.m. Saturday, when Sullivan went to check on him and discovered he was gone. She believes someone scaled a back fence.
The family called the Ventura Police Department to report the missing tortoise, and within an hour had posted dozens of fliers in their west Ventura neighborhood.
Sunday morning Sullivan received a call from a man who wanted money for information on Bob's whereabouts. She refused to give him any money until he delivered her to Bob.
She finally followed the man, who never identified himself, to thick brush beyond a retaining wall behind the nearby Ventura Valley View apartments on Cedar Street. When she first saw Bob, she was relieved. But then she got closer, and she saw his shell had been stabbed and splintered. Emotional and yelling, she peppered the man with questions about what had happened. He quickly sped off on a bicycle and never returned.
It wasn't until she took Bob home in a small wagon that she realized he was bleeding badly from his underbelly.
"This is one of the worst attacks I've ever seen," said Jeanie Vaughan, who founded and runs Turtle Dreams with her daughter Christine. Bob was initially taken to the animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Santa Barbara for treatment.
Bob's extensive injuries required him to be taken to a Santa Barbara animal hospital, where he was sedated and fitted with a feeding tube to provide food and medication to stave off infection, Vaughan said.
"We don't know if he is going to make it," Vaughan said. "His kidneys are working, for now, but it's going to be touch-and-go for a few days."
Bob had lacerations on his head and legs, as though someone had tried to remove him from his shell, police said.
"We are taking this very serious," Ventura Police Sgt. Jack Richards said, adding that the level of brutality likely would lead to felony charges if officers make an arrest.
A conviction of felony animal abuse can bring up to three years in state prison, while a misdemeanor conviction could result in a year in jail, said Nancy Ayers, a senior prosecutor in the Ventura County District Attorney's Office.
Anyone with information can contact 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.
Bob is a sulcata tortoise or African spurred tortoise, a hearty but endangered species that lives roughly 50 years in captivity and can grow to as much as 200 pounds, experts say. The land-dwelling animals are prolific breeders and have been increasingly found in the pet trade, Vaughan said.
"They are adorable when they are very small," Vaughan said. "And some pet sellers don't tell the buyer that they can grow so big, so they often end up being dumped when they become too much to handle."
Bill and Dorothy Sullivan found Bob a decade ago wandering in the alley behind their house. They took him in and tried to locate his owners but couldn't. The state Department of Fish and Game told the couple the tortoise could not be returned to the wild, so they established a home for him in their backyard. They consider him family now, hand-feeding him strawberries and fondly referring to him as the "poop machine." They are thankful for his connection to their son.
"We call him a therapy turtle because he miraculously brings William out of his shell," Dorothy Sullivan said.
The couple is facing hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in veterinarian bills. They have received a couple of anonymous calls from area residents and are convinced someone saw who brutalized their pet.
"The scary thing is, if whoever did this gets away with it, it's likely they will do it again," Bill Sullivan said. "We just hope someone will speak up."
Posted by SUEBABY on July 11, 2007 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's the sickest thing I've heard in quite some time! Hopefully kharma catches up with these creeps and gives them a dose of their own medicine! What the hell is the world coming to? Sheesh!
Posted by PonceMom on July 11, 2007 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am sorry for Bob and his family. I hope he recovers to live a long healthy life. And to whoever did this: Shame on you!
Posted by noneya on July 11, 2007 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is so sad. I am sure some !@# hole is bragging about what they did and hopefully someone will have the courage to turn them in! This is horrible taking away William's best friend. We will pray for Bob's safe recovery so William can have his buddy back.
Posted by Ambz on July 11, 2007 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh I hope that lil boy doesnt lose his Bob! Thats terrible and sick. That poor tortoise and little boy!! I hope he gets better soon. I know how hard it can be with a child with autism, that tortoise was a miracle of sorts and for someone to tak ehim....what an a$$
Posted by Tabitha_D on July 11, 2007 at 9:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is just wrong.....in so many ways. I know Mr. Sullivan, and have had the pleasure of meeting little William....a great kid, and so cute. I can't imagine how hard it is going to be to throw off his schedule like this, having his best friend gone...lets hope that its just for now. I wish you guys the best. I really do. I hope we, as a community, can pitch in on this one and help find out how did this.
Posted by BeaHappi on July 11, 2007 at 10:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
What kind of person does something like this? And I'm not buying that someone saw this on TV and then wanted to recreate. I've seen plenty of those shows and none of them made me want to go out and dig up ants or skin a snake for survival.
The type of person who would commit such a crime has probably injured or killed many other animals. I truly hope that this monster is caught and brought to justice.
As for Bob...hang in there little buddy! I hope that Bob & William are reunited soon.
Posted by MaryD on July 11, 2007 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I first saw this story on last night's news. I was flooded with such sadness! This type of cruelty hurt a vulnerable creature in an unimaginable way. We have absolutely no mandated "humane" education in our public school system. It is sorely needed.
Posted by BeaHappi on July 11, 2007 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"We have absolutely no mandated "humane" education in our public school system."
MaryD...to back it up a step, this type of education needs to start and continue in our homes. Teaching children through our actions & words that cruelty to animals or people is never okay.
Cruelty of this nature is most certainly an indication of bigger & deeper problems. My heart just aches for Bob & his family...
Posted by toofargone on July 11, 2007 at 11:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)
School doesnt teach you that you should be kind to animals, your parents/role models do... this is such a sad thing to have happen to an animal. Turtles are such nice creatures. I hope they find the one or ones that did this. this story just makes me sick. I hope they keep everyone updated on his recovery.
Posted by meleemel on July 11, 2007 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'd like to find who did this and mutilate them! They deserve to be tortured!!! They should be put away for a long long time because they are obviously a danger to the community. If they can do that to a poor little tortoise, do we really want to find out what they could do next! Poor Bob and his family! I hope he is OK!
Posted by vicki.swenson on July 11, 2007 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is the sickest thing a human can do to a defenseless sweet pet. I hope they find these guys and do the same to them.
I pray for little Bob's recovery, and Bob's family. I'm so sorry for the little guy.
Posted by magiano on July 11, 2007 at 12:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a bunch of loser poor excuse for human beings!! Sick SOB's!! Please keep us updated on Bob's condition and can we send a donation to help with the vet bills for poor Bob?
Posted by dsull37449 on July 11, 2007 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I want to thank all who have responded, I am so very touched at the concern that so many have showed towards Bob and my son. When I reported the attack to VPD, I did not think they would care, I am glad to say I was wrong. VPD have been wonderful as has the media, and my community. Thank you everyone!! From the Sullivan Family.
Posted by Ventuckey on July 11, 2007 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Poor little Bob. Is there a way we can donate to this cause?
Posted by sbrandenburg on July 11, 2007 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to know who that random weird guy was, who took off on his bike after showing them where the tortoise was... ???? What the??? I am so sorry. If possible, please post an address or bank where we can donate money for Bob. I'm so sorry for William. =o(
Posted by ed.fitzhenry on July 11, 2007 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TV does influence people to do stupid, mindless, violent, cruel things. Where else would someone get the idea to do something so foul?!?
I hope they catch the guy and torture him...hey, they do it at Guantanamo Bay, why not Ventura?
Posted by THX1138 on July 11, 2007 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with what was mentioned, whoever did this must have some serious problems. Sadly whoever this is may strike again. And, I hope this lunatic is caught before there's another victim!
Good Luck to Bob and the Family...
Posted by socalifsunshine on July 11, 2007 at 3:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Brings tears to my eyes that anyone has the capacity to do something this heinous. The best of luck and super-healing to Bob and Bob's family. As already suggested, please post info on how to donate money for Bob's cause.
Posted by jm332007 on July 12, 2007 at 9:37 a.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by KC on July 12, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jm332007 - No one appreciates your insensitive postings. Further, they don't know what happened. And yes, turtle abusers can scale fences as well as anyone else. Also, on their way out, I doubt they climbed the fence carrying the turtle. They probably opened it and walked out.
I highly doubt the Sullivans, who are spending hundreds of dollars administering care to their turtle, are responsible for the damage and I think it's rude for you to suggest this.
Posted by magiano on July 12, 2007 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow jm332007, you are a pretty sick individual to suggest that the son or parents harmed the turtle. You must be one unhappy puppy who needs to get a life.
Posted by mrhague on July 13, 2007 at 9:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope Bob gets well very soon. The sick person who did this will get his in the end. I will be donating money. I have pets (and a turtle)and I know how expensive this will be. Hang in there. Take care of Bob.
Posted by Montana on July 14, 2007 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Let's hope this leads to stricter laws for animal abuse. To torture a living, breathing animal calls for some pretty sick thinking. While donating to Bobs care and rehabilitation, please write to your lawmakers to increase penalties for these perpetrators. Bob deserves the best. His role doesn't stop as an autistic little boys friend. His role now is to compel us to protect those who can't speak for themselves. That Bob, what an incredible guy! The ones responsible for this need to be removed from society for the safety of us all. Speak up, we have the power to change laws.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 15, 2007 at 7:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well how about the guy in Kern County trying out for the TV show survivor? Took a live snake and held it pulled the skin off with his teeth then bit a chunk out of it and ate it !!!! Call the Authorities !!!! INHUMANE !!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by clairewhoisabear on July 16, 2007 at 8:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We have organized a website to help those who are as outraged as we are and who want to help raise funds to increase the $1000 reward being offered by Ventura Police and Crime Stoppers. The police believe they know who the perpetrator is but no one, to date, has stepped forward and named names. Hopefully additional funds will be an incentive and this very sick individual will be arrested.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 17, 2007 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My Prayers are with you to find this sick individual who did this. He will be found! He will brag........someone will talk and it will get back to the police.
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