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Stolen tortoise shows signs of recovery
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Photo courtesy of Christi Vaughan. Bob, who was stolen and mutilated, was taken to an animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Santa Barbara on Wednesday.
Video: Tortoise in Recovery
Bob, a 42 pound tortoise, who was kidnapped and mutilated recovers at a Santa Barbara animal rescue center. Watch now >>
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Bob, the pet tortoise from Ventura who was stolen and mutilated, was transferred to a turtle rehabilitation center late Wednesday afternoon.
"He's probably out of the woods barring any infection," said Jeanie Vaughan, owner of Turtle Dreams, an animal rescue and rehabilitation center in Santa Barbara where Bob was taken. He is expected to stay there for several weeks to recover from his injuries.
The 42-pound African spurred tortoise was stable Wednesday morning 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 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, pay for the 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 backyard, mutilated and dumped in thick brush behind a Ventura apartment complex.
The family recovered the 25-year-old tortoise Sunday, and police continue to seek the person or people responsible for his injuries, which included deep cuts to his neck and legs, and stab wounds to his shell.
"The outpouring has been overwhelming," Dorothy Sullivan said Wednesday, adding she received a telephone 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."
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 couple, who have a 6-year-old son who is autistic and close to the family tortoise, visited with Bob for two hours Wednesday evening at the rehabilitation center.
"He was so scared. Seeing his wounds was tough," Dorothy Sullivan said.
The normally playful tortoise was drawn into his shell during the visit, she said.
Anyone with information about Bob is asked to 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 math_spirit on July 12, 2007 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wishing Bob a speedy recovery.
To the slimeball who did this to Bob -- keep an eye over your shoulder because the authorities are coming after you -- you LOW LIFE!! Karma will prevail.
Posted by claskavy on July 12, 2007 at 8:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am happy to hear Bob is getting better. I hope that those people responsible are caught and punished soon! My family has been saying lots of prayers for Bob. We have sent in a donation, it is not much, but we hope it will help with Bob's expenses. We hope others will donate and help too.
Best wishes!!!
Posted by magiano on July 12, 2007 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great news to hear Bob is getting better! Please keep us posted!
Posted by junejun2000 on July 12, 2007 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's great news to hear Bob is doing well. We are giving all the information to our friends and family asking them to donate to Bob's account. Please do the same. Our thoughts and prayers are perfect for his quick recovery.
Posted by danielledevoe on July 12, 2007 at 10:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sullivan family - Bob has our support! The checks are coming! Keeping positive thoughts and wishing you all the best!
Posted by vicki.swenson on July 12, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope our prayers are answered for little Bob. I also hope and pray they get the sick pieces of garbage who did this to Bob. May they rot in hell.
And to the Sullivan's many of us have you and Bob in our prayers. Take care and I look forward to the day your family with Bob can be back together.
Posted by angrygirl8284 on July 12, 2007 at 11:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so happy to hear Bob is doing well. I sure hope the police find the disgusting person that did this to him.
Posted by celticchris51 on July 12, 2007 at 1:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hope law enforcement makes a strong effort to find the twisted individual(s) that did this horrible thing; and that the Ventura County District Attorney's Office prosecutes them to the fullest extent of the law. I hope the Ventura Star continues to publish updates on Bob's condition. Blessings and good wishes to Bob and his family; and to the professionals caring for Bob. I mailed my check this morning.
Posted by sog55 on July 12, 2007 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
this is headline news?i'm so relieved to hear he's doing better...now i can finally get some sleep!!! just kidding,get well soon dude.
Posted by joeMomma on July 12, 2007 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
-Ghandi
Get well soon, Bob
Posted by sog55 on July 12, 2007 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i understand your quote but shouldn't the greatness depend on how we treat our people? i wish we had such an outpouring of emotion for the homeless or needy right here in the city of ventura.send funds to those kinds of things. i mean really people let's put things in perspective.
Posted by thebrendan_2000 on July 12, 2007 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Most of my posts on here tend to be lighthearted and jokey, but this iisn't one of them. It saddens and angers me that something like this happens.
I hope Bob recovers to live a long peaceful life and that the wastes of flesh that did this act get nuked by a friggin' mountain lion in their own back yard.
Posted by magiano on July 12, 2007 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I understand that some people feel attention should be given to the homeless or the needy, but how do you know the people giving for Bob don't already give to these charities? I regularly donate, the difference here is that this is a unique situation that did upset me especially due to how it hurt the autistic son who was benefiting from Bob's friendship and is now without his friend for months. You shouldn't judge people giving for this if you don't know what other charities they already donate to and I can bet money that anyone who goes the extra mile to make a check out, mail it in for a turtle, donates for other causes.
Posted by mel on July 12, 2007 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually, sog55, the quote to which you refer is about compassion for the most vulnerable members of our world. True compassion extends to all living creatures, whether human or animal. It means standing up for those who can't stand up for themselves- and that includes animals, homeless people, disadvantaged people. It is not about people or animals. If you don't rise up in protest against cruelty towards any being on this earth, then you align yourself with the cowards who did this to one small helpless creature. Where is your perspective?
Posted by sog55 on July 12, 2007 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
good point magiano.I too feel for the kid..that is unfortunate for him. I guess my point was that maybe the article should have focused more on the boy than the turtle. I just thought it was a little ridiculous the way they portrayed the turtle with what looks like an IV. I'm sure the whole country will rally around bob and there will be a happy ending to this story! I just hope bob doesn't suffer from any post traumatic stress syndrome. But if he does I will personally donate money for his counselling.
Posted by magiano on July 12, 2007 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mel, I couldn't have said it better. Bravo!
Posted by sog55 on July 12, 2007 at 4:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's obvious that this was a cruel act mel. by the way those were some heroic words. Maybe a little sensitive but thats ok. By perspective, i mean I thought it was absurd that this was frontpage news. I didn't see anyone donating money to help pay for the hospital bills of the guy who was attacked at the gas station the other morning. Where's the public outcry for that story? that's what i meant about perspective.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 12, 2007 at 5:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I can understand how Sog is thinking. While we are all praying for Bob and sending money we still are NOT doing enough to help those that are homeless , those that need surgery and can not afford it. No matter how much we do for Bob, were NOT doing enough for the people of this country.....
More or less I think that is what he is trying to say.
Posted by sog55 on July 13, 2007 at 9:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
some people cease to amaze me!!you feel worse for a turtle than for a human being!!?? thanks for summing up exactly whats wrong with society today.that just falls into the category of ridiculous!!human beings are at the mercy of human beings 100% of the time. a little old lady is as vulnerable to a strong armed robber just as bob was vulnerable to the nutjob that did this.lets get real people!
Posted by bluestew on July 13, 2007 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
sog55 says "...greatness should depend on how we treat our people." No, that's not greatness, that's simply what is expected of us, to care for our own.
Animals depend on us for their welfare. Ghandi is right.
Animals don't kill out of cruelty, hate or greed. Humans are the only species that do that.
Posted by sog55 on July 13, 2007 at 10:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
what is expected of us is not being done..that is the point.we don't care for our own and that is an indication of our greatness or lack thereof.ghandi comes from a culture where animals are not only revered but worshipped. sadly america is adopting those same ideals.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 15, 2007 at 7:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wideopenweb, I can not understand how you can not feel sorry for the gas attendent. ??? Be glad he is working and not on welfare !!! At least he is making his own money! I find that comment strange!
Bluestew and humans are VICTIMS also!!!!
Sog55, I agree ! Things in this world are way out of prospective. ALthough I do feel terrible for what happened to Bob.....we should never compare an animal to an human....We can love them all we want as I do my dog. BUT believe me if my dog dies Im not going to mourn as much as I would as if I lost a child.
Posted by blondenono on July 15, 2007 at 12:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Alright, I'll clean up my comment. This poor tortoise who is of no threat to anyone, is admittedly very 'medicinal' for an autistic child ~ is taken, bludgeoned, stabbed, mutilated, for the mere joy of it. (That's how Ted Bundy got his infamous start)
Sure the kind hearted family took in this stray tortoise, but he has done more for them than they have for him. He has given this little child a reason to live.
I have seen many abused animals having worked for a veterinarian for years. I have gone out and rescued puppies in the sweltering San Joaquin sun in the middle of the day, that were left in a milk crate to cook, hand raised baby kittens who were left tied shut in a plastic bag and hung on a doorknob, too many stories to tell. Taken in baby birds and hand fed them.
I agree there is a homeless population of the two legged version (please be advised I didn't call them all humans) but there is also a large number of animals who are unwanted, turned in because the owner is moving or they got new furniture or carpeting and didn't want the pets to mess it up. Or here's a good one: "Our dog had puppies, so we're gettig rid of her and keeping a puppy".
It's too bad we can't enforce birth control on welfare mothers, just as we do animals adopted from the pounds and animal shelters.
Most of these "homeless" people can work. They have chosen their lifestyle. These innocent animals are at our mercy. They have committed no crime other than being born. They are defenseless and completely unconditional in their love. Can you say this about the "animal" that mutilated Bob?
In the next lifetime, I hope this felon comes back as a tortoise and Bob as the person who harmed him. That would be justice, but I wouldn't want another turtle to go through what Bob and countless animals go thru daily.
Please find this cruel and inhumane person and punish him to the full extent of the law.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 16, 2007 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You SAID you felt worse for the turtle......uhhhhh you go back and read....
What I said is the love for your pets and children should be totally different! re-read my post. You can not compare a Human to an animal. Not at all. I am an animal lover, But believe me I love my children more and would be hurt alot more if anything happened to my child then my pet. Not that I wouldn't be upset about my pet its just you can not compare the two! Im NOT telling you or anyone else how to feel.... that is on you! But if you have kids let them know you love your animal as much as them if not more !
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 17, 2007 at 11:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well marry a dog !
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 17, 2007 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They are NOT HUMANS, animals travel in cages on planes, people do not. Do I think Im better then an ape , You bet your butty !!!!!!! I am . An animal is an animal..............period. You need to find the difference between animals and humans.
People love thier pets. I love mine ! But believe me I LOVE my children a million trillion times more !!!!!!!! Get real !!!!!!!
Posted by sog55 on July 17, 2007 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
is this a joke wideopenweb? are you being sarcastic? i feel very sorry for you if you can't love another human being as much as an animal. i'm truly sorry for your pain. but lets try to stick to reality.people and animals are NOT EQUAL!! you would that we treat a gold fish the same as say your mom or dad? that makes sense to you? i'm sorry ,i'm just trying to understand.
Posted by BeaHappi on July 17, 2007 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
blondenono...I agree with you 100%. Especially the part about enforcing birth control on welfare parents.
I love LIFE and it should be honored for humans and animals alike.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 18, 2007 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
eating your words here !
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 19, 2007 at 8:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
oh I comprehended it alright.
(Your words)
Let me state this very clearly I love my pets more than I could ever love or do love a human. It's not possible to love humans as much because of their selfish nature. I think the best way to behave towards all living beings is to treat them all as individuals.
***********************
You love your pets more then you do or ever could a human......
Those were your words....
Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 21, 2007 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hey its a pet !!!!!
Posted by judiesmith on July 27, 2007 at 10:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am so glad that Bob is getting better. I have a pet turtle named Yum's. I hold her a little tighter now. I hope that the money I sent and that of the Ventura County Rescue Mission helps.
I know that you need money for gas and missed work. I hope you have raised plenty!!!
My Best Wishes to your family and Bob. I am still praying for you.
Judie Smith
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