HSUS Reward Nabs Bob's Abuser

	©Dorothy Sullivan
	Bob needed extensive veterinary care—including the feeding tube shown—after the attack.

By Ariana Huemer

A brave and conscientious citizen in Ventura, Calif., will collect a $2,500 reward from The HSUS for his role in helping capture and convict the man responsible for attacking Bob the tortoise.

The story of Bob the tortoise has received national attention since July because of the violence and debased nature of the attack. Bob's attacker reportedly hurled him against a wall before slashing him with a knife in an apparent attempt to cut him out of his shell. He was left to die—mutilated and bleeding—in some brush behind an apartment complex.

A Beloved Friend

Bob's plight is all the more heart-wrenching because the 42-pound African tortoise was the beloved pet of an autistic boy, who often could find comfort only in talking to Bob. The boy's mother reports that her son was inconsolable when he learned that his beloved tortoise had been stolen and mutilated. She also told The HSUS that she knew there were witnesses to the crime but that they were all afraid to come forward lest they face violent retaliation.

Even after Bob was rescued and on the road to recovery, his family remained anxious, fearing that his attacker could return at any time and wreak further violence against the tortoise. Fortunately, with the prosecution of Bob's alleged attacker well under way, he and his family face a safer outlook. 

©Dorothy Sullivan
With lots of love and care, Bob rebounded from the brink of death and walked again.

True Heroism

"We are deeply grateful to the citizen who stepped forward to help police identify a suspect in this case," said Dale Bartlett, The HSUS' deputy manager of animal cruelty issues. "The Ventura Police Department tells us that the tipster was particularly brave to identify the perpetrator in this vicious crime."

Too often, violent crimes against animals are unsolved, and the abusers remain at large because community members are unwilling to step forward or get involved. This leaves the door wide open for the abusers to continue their pattern of violence, often including human victims in addition to other animals.

Fortunately for Bob and his family, one person chose to step forward and be a voice for the animals. Those who wish to become a part of the solution to animal cruelty can look toward this case as a model of how to be a force for change—not only for animals, but for the entire community.

Ariana Huemer is cruelty caseworker for The Humane Society of the United States.

See the Video

Turtles as Pets

Related Links

Reward Offered in Ventura Tortoise Cruelty Case

The HSUS's Animal Cruelty Response and Reward Fund

Turtles and Tortoises

Twelve Things to Do for Turtles and Tortoises