Posted by rayrose77 on July 14, 2007 at 5:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

this is so strange, first of all there is a dog busted out of jail in ojai. now it is tortoise being abused. i love all kinds of animals. what is next, oh i forgot the average person walking down main street or your famous pier that the county paid for that brass thing who knows what at the end of the pier??? where is it ???? maybe a it is at the bottom of the sea. remember copper is not good for water. plus tax payers $$$$$ . i think ventura county needs to hire a professional diver to recycle the mess they made to our ocean

Posted by Montana on July 14, 2007 at 10 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pconvery99: WAY too much press? This wasn't only about Bob, it was about what he does for one of your fellow human beings, a little boy . How it affected an enitre family and community. This touched many folks, and reminded us how vulnerable we are. Doesn't matter if it was a tortoise, it was flesh and nerves, and the intent was to stop a beating heart. Have you checked your pulse lately? Whether or not you have a heart is suspect.

Posted by sog55 on July 14, 2007 at 10:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

THANK YOU pconvery99 for your voice of reason! isn't this ridiculous? what happened to the boy? how does he feel about this?why hasn't he been interviewed? i guess he was forgotten about through this whole ordeal. as long as bob is alright i guess thats what matters. its just silly. by the way..what in the world are you talking about rayrose????

Posted by Montana on July 14, 2007 at 10:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

sog55: The little boy is autistic. Google autism and read up on it. He uses sign language to communicate his needs and wants to his parents. He comes home from school and verbally tells Bob about his day. May you understand the connection this boy had with our world via this tortoise. Then you wouldn't sound so silly and ridiculous and may you find your voice of reason.

Posted by sog55 on July 14, 2007 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)

i'll admit i'm not to educated about autism. but aren't there different forms and stages of it? and where did you get your information from about his situation?because i haven't read one word about the boy.

Posted by I_LOVE_VENTURA on July 14, 2007 at 12:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Too much press?! The press wouldn't be writing articles about this if there wasn't TONS of public interest! I think it's great that the community and the nation have shown interest and want to help. My family has donated.

If people (rayrose77)feel strongly about other issues/news stories that they feel should be covered, then they need to get out there and be active and try to make some changes and bring awareness to issues on their own. That's how change begins...Don't whine about coverage that other issues are getting, besides you read the article too.

On a side note to sog55, I've seen the parent's quoted and on video. This probably isn't the best situation for an autistic child to be thrown into the spotlight.

Posted by Fingolovr on July 14, 2007 at 1:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This story has really touched me deeply. I can't imagine anyone being heartless enough to torture a defenseless living animal. I bet if the thugs who did this were held down, and had their skin torn away from their body, and had no voice to scream with, they'd get a clue about respecting other life. I'm pretty digusted by things like this that happen so frequently in our society today...what has happened to our world and culture? It seems respect for others property and rights has completely flown the coop. I'm betting when the culprits are caught they turn out to be bored youths, problably with juvinile records already. If my child did something like this I would really have to wonder what type of so-called "human-being" I had raised. The people who did this need help now, before they graduate to killing, torturing, or raping children or others. Does the name Jeffrey Dahmer ring a bell? Duh!! Anyone...?

Posted by sog55 on July 14, 2007 at 1:25 p.m.

(This thread was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by johnz on July 14, 2007 at 3:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To all those who think this story is getting too much press or what have you then don’t read it, don’t donate to the cause, don’t do anything if you don’t want to. How does it affect you? It doesn’t, nor should it, and I agree with I love ventura, go make some noise about something else if you think it should get press. I’d much rather see a story like Bob get press then Paris Hilton. Give me a break!

It gets press because it brings people together due to the sheer cruelty done to a completely harmless tortoise that was just hanging out and then some jack – off comes and try’s to kill, main, mutilate it for what reason? just senseless. It brings people together because of the sickness of it and what it has done to the family. Obviously, their autistic child is also a big part of the story since Bob was his channel of communication. Think about their child too and his confusion. Also, can you even imagine what the tortoise went through, it can’t rationalize any of the behavior being done to it, whereas the jerk that did this knows darn well what he/she was doing.

I agree with fingolovr,…. the torturing of animals is often the first step that many rapists, molesters, etc., take. They start on defenseless or “easy prey”, often animals, and work themselves up. I truly hope the sick scums that did this get what is coming to them. For everyone else who has donated or will or who has shown interest in the story and compassion for Bob and the entire Sullivan family, I think it is great. Society now a days more and more is all about me, me, me, and lack of respect. Just drive on the freeway, or go to the mall, or anything else where large crowds are, it’s all about every man for themselves now days (which is horrible) and if it takes a story like this to bring people together for a short time and to show that people care not only for one another but for our animals then I think it is fantastic. But turn the channel, so to speak, if you don’t want to watch and for those of us who do, just let em be. No harm is being done to you.

Posted by sog55 on July 14, 2007 at 5:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

good point johnz. i'm done with this topic.lets move on.

Posted by dsull37449 on July 14, 2007 at 10:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From Dorothy Sullivan. I am sorry some are "tired" of this story. This is true life, not a half hour sitcom. What happened to our family is devastating. A serious crime has been committed and the people who are responsible are roaming the streets. These people broke into my yard in daylight while we were at home, then brutalized our pet. If this story dies, then these monsters could come into your yard or your home. The press keeps the fear, keeps the witnesses informed and closer to turning in these sick people. As for my son, he has Angelman's syndrome and autistic spectrum disorder. The only time he is comfortable with others is around animals, there is a magical connection. William's safety has been shattered, he asks me "will someone steal me and hurt me, like they did to Bob?" My heart aches for my son. The positive side of this, I am so proud to be a Venturan. Wonderful people have sent cards, letters, and support. For those who have taken time out of there day to show kindness to a family in need, you are all our angels. Thank you so very much. Forever gratefull, Dorothy Sullivan

Posted by johnz on July 15, 2007 at 10:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

pconvery99, yes, you are right that these individuals would have no problem killing rats but what the heck are you talking about? your rat infestaation point vs a pet being trotured souds very naive. a rat infestation vs deliberatley going into someone's yard and stealing their pet and mutilating it,.... big difference, their tortoise was their pet nowhere close to the example you are trying to make with rats. your point/argument holds very little water. i am clueless by the point you are trying to make here? rats vs a pet being tortured. i think you are way off here and just don't get it. what exactly don't you understand and what exactly do you mean about a "rulebook". if someone had a rat that was a pet and then it got tortured it would be awful too, especially if the family had an autistic child that communicated through the rat. there doesn't need to be a rulebook, cruelty to animals is rulebook enough.

Posted by angrygirl8284 on July 16, 2007 at 1:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Dorothy, I cant imagine what you are going through. I agree with you. Keeping your story in the press is important to spreading the word on what happened to Bob and hopefully will lead to the capture of the horrible people that did this to him. I keep Bob and you family in my thought and prayers. For those that are done hearing about it, just dont read it. I for one am GLAD to see the press coverage. These things often get over looked by stories of larger crimes, but that doesnt make them less important.

Posted by claskavy on July 16, 2007 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

To Dorothy and her family,

My husband and I pray daily for Bob's recovery and are very saddened that the public needs to feel that your son should be thrown into the press. He is as much a victim as Bob and you are doing the right thing by shielding him. I hope Bob is better soon and get to go home and help your little boy feel safe again!

Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 17, 2007 at 11:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well Im assuming Bob is still doing better. Hope he gets to come home soon.

Posted by magiano on July 17, 2007 at 1:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I sent in a check and I live in Santa Maria. This story upset me, I have 2 sons who would be devasted if this happened to our family dog who is a HUGE part of their lives and they don't have autism. I am appalled by how people are saying it is getting too much press. I have renewed hope in our society seeing how many people have said they wanted to help. Also, people who help a turtle also (and I will bet money on this) donate to lots of other causes as do I. So don't judge the people who are sending money, you don't know where else they help out. I hope the press keeps giving updates on Bob and no the Sullivan family.

Posted by claskavy on July 17, 2007 at 1:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Amen to Magiano's comment. I hope updates are given too and that the responsible parties are caught and punished soon!

Posted by sog55 on July 17, 2007 at 5:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

my comment was removed? I hope no one was offended or hurt by anything i said. I have no intention of directly hurting someones feelings nor would i use any kind of language that would be considered vulgar. But we must be allowed to disagree and discuss openly without being overzealous in our censorship. i hope this isn't a forum where a persons opinion will not be heard if it does not agree with popular sentiment. I have said nothing that should warrant that kind of action. Let me be clear...my heart goes out to the sullivan family... and if you look close enough and hard enough you can still see shades of america when it comes to freedom of speech. but look fast because it will be gone soon!!

Posted by I_LOVE_VENTURA on July 17, 2007 at 5:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I heard the reward has gone up...I really hope that this will encourage anyone who knows who may be responsible to turn them in to the Ventura Police Department as soon as possible. Just think of the other things that this person is capable of.

Posted by AnnaWhaat on July 18, 2007 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sog55, I have no clue why your comment was removed. I read it over and over and never did I see anything wrong with it. You were sincere with Bob's ordeal. And wished the family the best. I would ask the monetor as to why it was removed?