The Ontario SPCA is searching for four teenagers believed to have hurled a large turtle into a drained swimming pool in Cornwall, Ont..

On Oct. 10, the SPCA was told four boys between 16 and 18 years old were seen walking on L ennox Lane near Edgar Street carrying a box.

Witnesses saw the boys take a large, 20-lb. turtle from the box and toss it over the chain-link fence of a public swimming pool.

The SPCA said the turtle landed on the concrete surrounding the pool, and then one of the boys climbed the fence and threw the turtle into the drained concrete pool.

The turtle was later taken to the Ontario SPCA branch in Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry. The top part of the turtle’s shell was cracked from the head to tail and the underside of the shell was also cracked, according to the SPCA.

The turtle was moved to a wildlife rehabilitation centre where it is receiving veterinary care.

The SPCA is asking anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 310-SPCA or email cruelty@ospca.on.ca.