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The Ontario SPCA is asking for help in finding four youths who badly hurt a 20-pound turtle in Cornwall by throwing it over a fence and on to concrete.

According to the SPCA, on Oct. 10 at about 10 a.m., four youths between the ages of 16 and 18 were spotted walking on Lennox Lane near the corner of Edgar Street in Cornwall.

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They were carrying a box near the public swimming pool, the SPCA said. Witnesses say they saw the boys take the turtle from the box and throw it over a chain-link fence.

The SPCA says the turtle fell on to the concrete surrounding the pool.

One of the boys then climbed the fence and threw the turtle into the drained pool, “which only contained water in the deep end,” the SPCA said.

City employees brought the turtle to the SPCA’s Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Branch, where it was examined. The SPCA said it found that both the top and bottom of the turtle’s shell was cracked from head to tail.

The turtle is now getting veterinary care at a wildlife rehabilitation centre, the SPCA said.

“The Ontario SPCA is urging anyone who may have information regarding who committed this act of animal cruelty to come forward and contact the Society,” said Steve Toy, an SPCA senior inspector, in a media release.

The SPCA says anyone with information about this incident can call them at 310-SPCA or email them at cruelty@ospca.on.ca.