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>>Next time, the perp could do something cruel to a cat or dog, or even a child.<<

Did ya ever think that “the perp” could have been some kid who didn’t quite think that the turtle would actually fly? Perhaps a group of boys who thought they could grab it but it got too high? Did you raise any boys? They do dumb things and are far from “perps”. Lighten up.

And for Heaven’s sake, you did not say “Every single turtle is important to contribute to the population—there is no surplus of box turtles as their habitat has been increasingly destroyed”

They are selling them as PETS.

http://turtleshack.com/store/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&keyword=box&categories_id=92&inc_subcat=1&manufacturers_id=&pfrom=&pto=&dfrom=&dto=&x=17&y=7

http://www.ehow.com/video_4439577_box-turtles-as-pets.html

And lets face it, if someone hadn’t gotten this turtle down, a bird would have had a great meal. Delivered.

Your post is entirely unconvincing. Even if they wanted to find out if a turtle would fly, that does not mean they have to subject a living creature to such treatment. Why not use a block of wood of similar weight and dimensions? Excusing such a person because "they're a boy" and "boys do dumb things" is giving a blanket pass on unthinking acts.

If they had been taught proper respect for living things, I doubt if anyone would attempt such a cruel act.

As for your disdain for my previous statement that "every single turtle is important to contribute to the population", read the following:

http://www.naturalheritage.com/citizen-science/past_projects/box_turtle/turtlethreats.aspx

http://www.mckeever.org/turtle.html

http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2723&Q=416520

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/research/Contribute/Box%20Turtle/whatyoudo.htm