The turtle, later pronounced dead, was also found with “a fishhook stuck in its mouth,” according to the Suffolk County SPCA
Credit: Suffolk County SPCA (2)
NEED TO KNOW
- A turtle was found trapped in a zip-tied metal cage submerged in Geiger Lake in Deer Park, N.Y., on Aug. 23
- The turtle was taken to a veterinary hospital for emergency treatment immediately but did not survive
- The Suffolk County SPCA is offering a $2,000 reward for information, and tells PEOPLE it has “received some leads “
A turtle died after it was found trapped in a metal cage that was zip-tied shut and submerged in water.
The turtle was discovered “trapped” and “tethered” underwater on the afternoon of Sunday, Aug. 23, at Geiger Lake at Geiger Park (also known as Geiger Lake Memorial Park) in Deer Park, N.Y., the Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said in a Facebook post on Friday, Aug. 28.
The turtle has since died, a Suffolk County SPCA spokesperson confirmed to PEOPLE on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
Park rangers with the Town of Babylon learned of the incident, which the organization has labeled a “severe act of animal cruelty,” while responding to a separate complaint about e-bikes at the park.
Credit: Suffolk County SPCA
The rangers “were alerted to a turtle trapped inside a cage secured with zip ties and submerged underwater,” the Suffolk County SPCA said on Facebook. “Upon pulling the cage from the lake, Rangers discovered that the turtle had a fishhook stuck in its mouth and had been tethered inside the enclosure, preventing any chance of escape.”
Photos the organization shared show the turtle with its head retracted into its shell.
The turtle was rescued at 3:30 p.m. local time and taken to West Islip Veterinary Hospital for emergency evaluation and treatment, but did not survive. It “was immediately transported to an animal hospital but unfortunately the turtle has passed away,” a Suffolk County SPCA spokesperson told PEOPLE in an email.
The animal protection organization said on Facebook that it is offering a reward of $2,000 for information “leading to the arrest and conviction” of whoever is responsible for the fatal Deer Park incident.
Credit: Suffolk County SPCA
“Anyone with information regarding this incident or who may have witnessed suspicious activity around Geiger Park Lake is urged to contact the Suffolk County SPCA immediately,” the organization said on Facebook. “Anyone with information is urged to contact the Suffolk County SPCA at (631) 382-7722.”
In an update shared with PEOPLE on Sept. 1, a Suffolk County SPCA spokesperson said, “We have received some leads regarding the investigation of the turtle that the Suffolk County SPCA is pursuing.”
PEOPLE has reached out to the Suffolk County Police Department and Town of Babylon Parks and Recreation Department for comment.
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