WHAT HAPPENED...

Two grown men and a 17-year-old boy agreed to, for some disgusting reason, put two M-80 firecrackers on a live wild turtle and blow it up, of course killing the animal.



The men’s names are

Taylor J. Geib (20-years-old) and Austin M. Garner (21-years-old).

They were charged, so far, with only criminal conspiracy and possessing prohibited offensive weapons in connection to the incident on August 3rd. The teenager has not been named, since he is a minor. All three individuals are from Manheim, PA (Lancaster County).



As the article, sourced below states, the men took to duct-taping two M-80 firecrackers on to the shell of the turtle and lit the fuse. They even set off more after they killed the turtle... showing no compassion or care as they kept on setting off firecrackers. People who lived nearby heard the explosions around 7pm on August 3rd. There are witnesses and the men even admitted to doing this horrific act.

Geib and Garner were charged and are awaiting a preliminary hearing; the teenager was charged as a juvenile.



Police found a small crater, left with bone fragments and pieces of the animals remains all over the place. They believe the turtle was a common snapper.

These were not tiny fireworks. They’re illegal in the state of Pennsylvania and are very dangerous.



Since they were charged, why do we still feel this is not enough...

We need to understand, that while it may just be one single heinous act, these men were NOT charged with animal cruelty. Since the turtle was a wild animal, and not a domestic or zoo animal, it does not fall under the protection of animal cruelty laws. What these men did was out of pure malice and for their own sick enjoyment... nothing more. This is sick and they need to be charged appropriately for their crime. If this had been a dog, there would be no hesitation on charges that fit the crime, so what makes this any different simply because it is a turtle?



WHAT WE WANT TO COME OUT OF THIS, HELP BY SIGNING THIS PETITION:

1. We want all 3 individuals charged with animal cruelty to the fullest extent.

2. We want the minor (17years of age) charged as an adult with the other two suspects.

3. We want them to make a public apology

4. Mandatory mental psychological analysis conducted.

5. Asking that wild animals be included in Animal Cruelty charges, as well as a more harsh sentencing/punishment for Animal Cruelty charges.

Original Article Source: http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/charged-with-blowing-up-live-turtle-with-powerful-m-/article_2293bbda-69fd-11e6-9be9-9bfe23cf029e.html