32 year old turtle beaten, killed by 8 year old
Albany, GA (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Dec 20, 2001
County: Dougherty

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: 8 year old male

Albany police are questioning an 8-year-old boy in the beating death of a pet turtle.

Lisa Johnson had the pet turtle -- Myrtle -- for 32 years. She said someone took the turtle out of the swimming pool in her back yard on December 10, 2001 and beat it to death with a brick. Johnson said she received the turtle when she was 7.

''Myrtle was my first pet, I got her when I was in the second grade, she has always been there. She's a member of my family,'' Johnson said.

Albany police are investigating and said the 8-year-old could be charged with a felony if he was responsible. The law to toughen penalties for animal cruelty was passed last year, making it a felony to kill someone's animal.

References

• Athens Online - December 22, 2001

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