Posted on 08/23/2012 11:29:31 AM PDT by MNDude
Authorities are looking for whoever taped a turtle to several balloons and sent it flying in an Oceanside neighborhood.
The turtle was spotted duct-taped and dangling from balloons that were caught high up in a eucalyptus tree. Some neighbors next door saw what was going on and tried to help the turtle.
"We look up and there's green and blue balloons up there," said resident Chanelle Wright. "He was just swinging his arms trying to get out of it. Somebody had taped him to the balloons."
Wright told 10News, "I called the Humane Society to try to get the fire department out here, but it took about an hour for everybody to actually show up."
"We proceed by checking with everybody in the neighborhood and see if anybody saw anything, who might know who the owner of the turtle is," said Lt. Melyssa Jones, who is with the Humane Society.
If detectives can find out who taped the turtle to the balloons, they could face charges of animal abuse.
(Excerpt) Read more at 10news.com ...
Firstly, it is a FREAKING TURTLE--probably a small step about above a fish. Do they realize for every turtle that survives to become an adult, about 50 are devoured by predators?
Second of all, this woman the fire department. Typical of people too helpless do do anything themselves.
Third, the Fire Department actually showed up! How'd you like it if your house burned down because the fire department was helping a turtle out of a tree?
Fourth, they are talking about investigating this further. Gee, the city must be nearly crime free to have resources to put towards this.
Turtle says, “Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! Do it again!!!!!!!
Most action that sucker has ever seen or will likely see again......a bucket list check he lives to tell other turtles about..
So, how many balloons does it take to airlift a turtle?
I’m glad that the turtle is safe and unharmed.
This sounds like the kind of stupid stunt that some bored kid, 10-12, pulls during summer vacation.
That the police are going after the “culprit” is a bit much.
Animal abuse charges, I don't really think so. Mental evaluation of the person that did this prank is more appropriate.
So this is how “post turtles” manage to get on top of that post.
But how do they release the balloons?
(Gratuitously swiped from an Obama as a post turtle thread)
The dude tripped a “stick-point” landing on that post.....balloons were just for show....
Duct Tape and Helium evolutionary process.
That's high on the list of phrases I never thought I'd see...
Great post. It fits.
He seriously has to work on the landings. He was cleared by the Tower on runway 2. Maybe there was windshear, or the wake from a high speed gerbil attached to a bottle rocket passing by that sent him off course.
If I was a 14 year old and saw that rig flying overhead, my first reaction would have been to get the BB gun and down the enemy Zero before it attacked Pearl.
“Turtle says, “Wheeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! Do it again!!!!!!!
Most action that sucker has ever seen or will likely see again......a bucket list check he lives to tell other turtles about..”
No kidding! What else is that turtle going to do with his life any how? Crawl around in the mud? Eat bugs?
It’s not about the animal so much as it is a story about people with compassion for animals (the rescuers not the perpetrators). Sure, it’s just a freakin turtle, but there are people out there with hearts just the same.
Like humans?
Someone's parrot was in a nearby tree that didn't have limbs close enough to the ground so it could be readily climbed. The fire department came and got it chaulking the incident up to "training".
But then I'm moved by cruelty to animals, and their welfare when it can be provided.
Good day.
Only a very small percentage of box turtle eggs make it to adult turtles due to predation at many stages of the turtles' growth. NOT "about 50 are devoured by predators". Every single turtle is important to contribute to the population--there is no surplus of box turtles as their habitat has been increasingly destroyed.
The turtle was "caught high up in a eucalyptus tree". YOU want to scramble up a tall tree? Probably don't even have the stones to try, but your accusative finger seems to be in fine shape. I'd have called the fire department, too--they have ladder trucks which could safely reach the turtle and not endanger a well-meaning would-be rescuer. The fire department came "after an hour" meaning that they had obviously tended to more urgent business before answering this call. Firemen aren't putting out fires 24/7; they DO have down time.
The city SHOULD investigate this act of cruelty. Next time, the perp could do something cruel to a cat or dog, or even a child. They usually start out small and work their way up.
There's nothing wrong with the story, but there's obviously plenty wrong with YOU.
This turtle using evolution determined that trudging around at turtle speed was not an effective way of running into turtle chicks. Finding some balloons and duct tape he was suddenly airborne scoping out the babes. Getting caught in the tree is something his progeny will eventually work out.
Thank God it was not a puppy or kitten. This kid would be a registered animal offender for life, tried as an adult.
But violence to reptiles and amphibians and certain rodents is OK, or is it?
What is the politically correct animal hierarchy anyway?
Put the turtle meat in a large saucepan with 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne and the water. Bring to a boil. Skim off any foam that rises to the top. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 20 minutes. With a slotted spoon transfer the meat to a platter. Cut the meat into 1/2 inch dice and reserve the liquid. In another large sauce pan, combine the butter and flour over medium heat, stirring constantly for 6 to 8 minutes to make a dark roux. Add the onions, shallots, bell peppers and celery. Stir occasionally and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the vegetables are slightly tender. Add the bay leaves, thyme and garlic, cook for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the turtle meat. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes stirring occasionally. Add the Worcestershire sauce, the remaining salt and cayenne, the turtle stock (about 6 cups) lemon juice, and sherry. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium and simmer for 10 minutes. Add the parsley, green onions, and eggs and simmer for 45 minutes. Garnish with green onions and chopped eggs.
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