Stop Snapperfest:
Snapping Turtle Abuse for "Fun"

[Ed. Note: VICTORY UPDATE - August 2012 - Good News For Indiana’s Turtles: State Says No More Snapperfest.]

[Ed. Note: To learn more about turtles and tortoises, visit Tortoise.com.]

FROM Change.org and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

ACTION

We may not be able to stop this atrocious event this year (scheduled for August 20), but our actions now will ensure this will be the last time wild-caught snapping turtles will be captured and then have their heads ripped out of their shells, all in the name of "entertainment."

Please contact the commissioners, council members and the campground and politely ask that they do the right thing and replace this cruel event. And please spread this alert far and wide.

The Honorable Connie J. Brown
Ohio County Commissioner
yvonnewalton@hotmail.com

The Honorable Todd Walton
Ohio County Commissioner
twalton@cinergy.com

The Honorable Shane Koons
Ohio County Commissioner

The Honorable Connie Smith
Ohio County Auditor
ohioctyauditor1@earthlink.net

The Honorable Mike Padgett
Councilmember Pro-Tem
phone (812) 438-3340
mpadgett@orvcomm.com

The Honorable Steve Slack
Councilmember
phone (812) 438-3340
sslack@orvcomm.com

The Honorable Lynn Graves
Councilmember
phone (812) 438-3340
lgraves@orvcomm.com

The Honorable Bud Radcliff
phone (812) 438-3340
bradcliff@orvcomm.com

The Honorable Roy Powell
Councilmember
phone (812) 438-3340
rpowell@orvcomm.com

Campshore Campground
8548 State Road 56
Aurora, IN 47001-9663
phone (812) 438-2135
cell (812) 290-5939
info@campshorecampground.com

Ohio County Sheriff's Office
123 South Mulberry Street
Rising Sun, IN 47040
phone (812) 438-3636
fax (812) 438-4848

INFORMATION / TALKING POINTS

Every year for the past 12 years at the Campshore Campground, wild-caught snapping turtles endure terrible violence at the hands of participants. The frightened animals are grabbed by their tails and repeatedly slammed to the ground.

Their heads are yanked from their shells, and they are then swung around until "contestants" are able to wrap their fists around the animals' necks.

In addition to terrifying these reptiles, these attacks can result in serious injury and fatal stress—and death comes slowly for turtles because of their slow metabolism. Survivors are likely subjected to slaughter or release into unfamiliar areas, only to succumb to parasites or disease.

Thank you for everything you do for animals!