Jeff Preval, WGRZ.com July 10, 2015
NIAGARA FALLS, NY - We're learning more about the investigation in Niagara County of the despicable beating and torture of a turtle. The SPCA says it's identified four out of five males involved in the incident.
Earlier this week, the SPCA says it thought only one male at an alcohol fueled party last month bludgeoned a turtle with a bat.
"We've spoken to some individuals who attended the party, who confirm that there were two individuals, the bat was handed off," said Amy Lewis, the executive director of the Niagara County SPCA.
Investigators say they've identified who one of males with the bat is. Officials are now turning to public, hoping to learn who the second teen is. The video doesn't show his face.
"The footage really only shows him from the torso down, so there are no shots of his face or his head, we can tell he was wearing jeans and boots and a black T-shirt that's about the extent of it," Lewis said.
The party was at a home in Wolcotsville, which is near Lockport. Cell phone video -- posted online -- shows a mob surrounding the turtle and beating it.
In addition to identifying one male with the bat, investigators have identified three teens at the party. Officials say the three will face animal cruelty charges. And, another will face violations with the Department of Environmental Conservation, for allegedly picking up the turtle off a road in Newstead and bringing it to the party.
"From our interview with him, he had said his intentions weren't to harm the animal, but he just thought it was kind of cool and wanted to show everyone and then he'd release it," Lewis said.
But, that is far from what happened.
And now the SPCA is tracking down multiple tips, hoping to identify their final suspect. Officials have not released the names of those who have been identified, because some are juveniles, others because they have not been charged yet. If you have any information about this case, the SPCA asks you to call: 731-4368 extension, 309.
The SPCA says animal cruelty charges will be filed sometime next week in the Town of Royalton court. The charges will be misdemeanors, not felonies, because it wasn't a domestic animal like a dog or a cat that was abused.
NIAGARA FALLS, NY - We're learning more about the investigation in Niagara County of the despicable beating and torture of a turtle. The SPCA says it's identified four out of five males involved in the incident.
Earlier this week, the SPCA says it thought only one male at an alcohol fueled party last month bludgeoned a turtle with a bat.
"We've spoken to some individuals who attended the party, who confirm that there were two individuals, the bat was handed off," said Amy Lewis, the executive director of the Niagara County SPCA.
Investigators say they've identified who one of males with the bat is. Officials are now turning to public, hoping to learn who the second teen is. The video doesn't show his face.
"The footage really only shows him from the torso down, so there are no shots of his face or his head, we can tell he was wearing jeans and boots and a black T-shirt that's about the extent of it," Lewis said.
The party was at a home in Wolcotsville, which is near Lockport. Cell phone video -- posted online -- shows a mob surrounding the turtle and beating it.
In addition to identifying one male with the bat, investigators have identified three teens at the party. Officials say the three will face animal cruelty charges. And, another will face violations with the Department of Environmental Conservation, for allegedly picking up the turtle off a road in Newstead and bringing it to the party.
"From our interview with him, he had said his intentions weren't to harm the animal, but he just thought it was kind of cool and wanted to show everyone and then he'd release it," Lewis said.
But, that is far from what happened.
And now the SPCA is tracking down multiple tips, hoping to identify their final suspect. Officials have not released the names of those who have been identified, because some are juveniles, others because they have not been charged yet. If you have any information about this case, the SPCA asks you to call: 731-4368 extension, 309.
The SPCA says animal cruelty charges will be filed sometime next week in the Town of Royalton court. The charges will be misdemeanors, not felonies, because it wasn't a domestic animal like a dog or a cat that was abused.
