DAYTONA BEACH — In an attempt to save a turtle being tortured by three people, Persian Gulf War veteran Garry Blough was beaten Tuesday afternoon by two men and a teenager, police said.

The attack happened just outside Garry Blough's apartment at 1717 Mason Ave., the 45-year-old Blough said Wednesday in a telephone interview.

The U.S. Navy veteran, injured in war in 1991, said his wife and 1-year-old daughter were walking outside and saw three people smashing a fresh water turtle to the ground and kicking the defenseless creature.

"My wife came inside the house crying and my daughter was crying," Blough said. "I went outside and saw one of them lift the turtle over his head and smash it to the ground. I told them to stop doing that."

Blough, who sustained several injuries in the war in 1991 and uses a walker, was badly beaten by suspects Johnnie Beveritt, 18, Alfred Jose Chico, 16 and Ryan Ponder, 23, police said.

The victim said he turned to tell his wife to call police and felt his attackers come up behind him and pummel him.

Arrest reports state that the suspects punched Blough with their fists. Once he crumpled to the ground, they kicked his torso, his face, his head and legs.

According to paramedics, the suspects left Blough with a shattered skull and facial bones, a concussion and a "severely injured, eye," arrest reports state. Blough, who also suffers from daily seizures, was taken to Halifax Health Medical Center and released early Wednesday morning. He said he had to walk home because he cannot afford a car.

Blough said the gruesome incident he witnessed appalled him.

"I was just in shock, just in shock," Blough said. "For adults to be there and putting a turtle over their head and smashing it on the ground. It was appalling.

"Don't hit a woman, a child or an animal in front of me," Blough added. "I won't stand for it."

The trio was arrested by Daytona Beach police and each suspect was charged with aggravated battery and bodily harm/disability and animal cruelty/intentionally causing cruel death, both felonies.