BRANTFORD, Ont. - The driver of a tow truck called to transport the vehicle of an impaired driver to the impound lot on Tuesday had to take a detour and make an unusual stop.

He had to go the Grand River so a Brantford police officer could release a 20-pound snapping turtle found in the trunk of the vehicle.

“Fortunately, the police officer is a bona fide wildlife enthusiast who has experience dealing with snapping turtles,” Const. Nat Laing, of the Brantford police said. “The officer was able to safely remove the turtle from the trunk of the vehicle and return it to its natural habitat without incident.”

The turtle was discovered after police pulled a driver over at 8 p.m.

While speaking to the officer, the driver revealed he had caught a snapping turtle earlier in the day and that it was in the trunk of the vehicle. He then asked police to release it back into the Grand River.

The driver, a 24-year-old Ohsweken man, faces charged of disqualified driving, over 80 milligrams of alcohol, driving while under suspension and using plates not authorized for the vehicle.

vincent.ball@sunmedia.ca