Chalfont, Pennsylvania – An adult male snapping turtle has died from injuries allegedly inflicted by children who beat him with a baseball bat. The senior turtle was taken to the Aark Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center in September with severe injuries.
When the turtle was first taken in, the organization said:
A large adult male snapping turtle was admitted earlier this month after rescuers found him being bludgeoned with stones by kids. This caused substantial damage to his carapace (top shell) exposing tissue and muscle. He will now have to spend the winter in our clinic due to his injuries.
This is an old adult male that had likely been alive for decades. 😭 If rescuers had not stepped him, it’s possible he would not be alive right now. It is truly mind boggling and horrific to see young people behaving this way towards an innocent animal who likely was just minding his own business.

On Wednesday, the organization said the turtle had passed away, and noted that the injuries were actually believed to be from a baseball bat:
We have some sad news. The adult male snapping turtle that was admitted after being attacked by children with a baseball bat passed away on Friday. Recently, he had begun to show scarring on the top of his head which, sadly, makes us think that it was not only his shell they were targeting but also his head. 💔
This was an older male that had likely been alive for decades and it is truly heartbreaking to see his life cut short by the cruel and misguided actions of children.
The rehab center is unsure if the parents of the children were notified. They said:
Unfortunately, we still do not know the answer to that, but we hope that the parents were informed and that these children will be educated on the wrongness of their actions in ending this turtle’s life.
Rest easy innocent one.
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85 Comments
This is the Chalfont, PA in Bucks County (apparently there’s two – found this out trying to reach the town council). This is exactly what is wrong with society today – these kids come from being raised by bad parents. That makes both the kids and the parents evil! The way you’re raised aside, kids know right from wrong. If I would have dared do anything like this growing up, it’s debatable whether I’d have seen sundown! That’s harsh and my parents wouldn’t have killed me but there’d been a really serious “come to Jesus” meeting with them and then it’d be a trip to the cops to turn me in. I’ve always said that anyone and everyone who commits a crime, regardless of their age, should have their names and addresses published. People trust kids to be good and that is NOT the case. In fact, kids that have committed crimes should be watched very closely; people need to be on their guard when around them. That’s why I think all names of criminals – adult and minors – should be published!
Children???? what about the parents being held responsible for these rotten worthless “children???” These are the children who will grow up to be HORRIFIC people in society!!!
Definitely something wrong with kids that abuse animals. They need to be taught a lesson or they will move onto other innocents.
this is our society now- children that kill animals. Sickening!
I blame the parents when children abuse animals. If the parents had taught them to have a high regard for life and to treat animals with kindness, these situations wouldn’t happen. RIP, sweet turtle.
I blame them for starting it, but kids still know right from wrong. They are all to blame but don’t let the evil kids off the hook so easily.
They are not children they are sick evil little scumbags!!! Poor turtle
Those asshole kids deserve to have a beating equal to what they did to the turtle. Their parents need to know their kids are turning into monsters who might end up killing humans in future.
agree! beat them with a nat so they know how it feels!
Those monstrous bastard children should be imprisoned for the remainder of their despicable lives. They are a danger to society.
These “children” need to face consequences for their actions. Kids will not learn to respect other living beings if they are not punished when they have committed such cruelty towards another living being. They need to learn that making bad choices; especially when it causes suffering and death of another; whether animal or person; will not be tolerated in our society. This is the only way they will learn.
100% agreed !
NOT THAT I AM CONDONING WHAT THESE LITTLE HORRORS DID TO THIS POOR INNOCENT GRANDAD TURTLE BECAUSE I’M NOT!!!! AND ‘NEVER’ WILL, BUT ISN’T IT ABOUT TIME ALL SCHOOLS TAUGHT CHILDREN THE RIGHT ETHICS & PRINCIPLES IN THE MAKING OF A RIGHTEOUS CHILD OR ADULT..JUST HOW SCHOOLS SHOULD BE TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO HANDLE EVERY DAY LIFE WHEN THEY GROW UP & GET A JOB??????
THESE ARE CALLED ‘LIFE SKILLS’ WHICH ARE BADLY NEEDED TODAY AS ARE ETHICS, PRINCIPLES & VALUES!!
WHICH ARE SADLY LACKING IN THIS WORLD TODAY!!!!
PARENTS NEED TO KNOW & MUST KNOW WHERE THEIR CHILDREN ARE AT ALL TIMES….BECAUSE THAT’S THE SORT OF WORLD IT IS TODAY!!!!
PARENTS & CHILDREN MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR TAKING THIS POOR TURTLES LIFE AWAY…I.E . A WEEK IN JAIL MIGHT DO IT?????
I don’t care if these monsters are children. Exactly how old are they? Even 6 year-olds have a concept of right and wrong. Their parents need to be held accountable as well as their little demons. The kids need to be taught a lesson and community service won’t do it.
I don’t care if these monsters are children. Exactly how old are they? Even 6 year-olds have a concept of right and wrong. Their parents need to be held accountable as well as their little demons. The kids need to be taught a lesson and community service won’t do it.
I don’t care if these monsters are children. Exactly how old are they? Even 6 year-olds have a concept of right and wrong. Their parents need to be held accountable as well as their little demons. The kids need to be taught a lesson and community service won’t do it.
These kids are mentally sick. I don’t necessarily blame the parents as kids can go astray on their own but the parents should be hit with a HEFTY fine. Maybe they will pay more attention to their kids behavior and get them some help before they turn into school shooters.
Totally uncalled for!!! This pisses me off!!! Fine the parents and beat the piss out of those heartless brats! 😡😡😡
These parents should be punished for not teaching their children how to treat others as well as wildlife. The kids would not have done this, if they had been taught the value of life. If the kids are allowed to do this, what is the world coming to?
These parents should be punished for not teaching their children how to treat others as well as wildlife. The kids would not have done this, if they had been taught the value of life. If the kids are allowed to do this, what is the world coming to?
Totally uncalled for!!! This pisses me off!!! Fine the parents and beat the piss out of those heartless brats! 😡😡😡
I cried while reading this .The kids. ought to have their beat until they bleed.What the hell is wrong with these kids,future killers.
do the same to THEM!!
I hope their parents beat their a$$es with a baseball bat… but then again why are they so messed up anyways…bad parenting?! I hope they get what they deserve…an eye for an eye! Children or not, they are still humans… vile and evil!
There’s something wrong with kids who abuse animals! Their parents have not raised them right. They will move on to hurting humans next. SMH.
There’s something wrong with kids who abuse animals! Their parents have not raised them right. They will move on to hurting humans next. SMH.
These thugs should be required to pay the consequences of their actions. Extensive community service to the wildlife organizations is just a start. Their parents need to play some part in the punishment as well.
These children are future serial killers! they must be removed from society and their parents fined for raising such monsters!