http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19921600/
VENTURA, Calif. - An 18-year-old man is under arrest, accused of torturing an autistic boy's tortoise. Officials said Tony Mosqueda was booked into the Ventura County jail on charges of cruelty to animals and grand theft.
The 25-year-old African spurred tortoise, named Bob, was stolen from the yard of Dorothy and Bill Sullivan of Ventura on July 7, according to officials. The family said the pet was a special friend to their 6-year-old son. They said the boy rarely spoke to people but chattered to the animal.
The tortoise was found slashed and stabbed after being dumped in brush behind an apartment complex, officials said. Sgt. Jack Richards said witnesses to the torture of the 42-pound tortoise provided information that helped lead to the arrest.
"It wasn't until I got him loaded on the wagon to bring him home ... that I saw the blood," said Dorothy Sullivan.
Mosqueda's sister said her brother denies any involvement. She said he is a pet owner with two snakes, an iguana and a dog and he's never shown signs of cruelty to them.
An anonymous caller told the family where to find Bob. Police declined to discuss a motive, but Richards said it didn't appear the attacker wanted to eat Bob. The tortoise was being treated at Turtle Dreams, a Montecito rehabilitation center. The center's owner has said Bob's chances of recovery are good and that he is in stable condition.
I can't believe people are so sick.
VENTURA, Calif. - An 18-year-old man is under arrest, accused of torturing an autistic boy's tortoise. Officials said Tony Mosqueda was booked into the Ventura County jail on charges of cruelty to animals and grand theft.
The 25-year-old African spurred tortoise, named Bob, was stolen from the yard of Dorothy and Bill Sullivan of Ventura on July 7, according to officials. The family said the pet was a special friend to their 6-year-old son. They said the boy rarely spoke to people but chattered to the animal.
The tortoise was found slashed and stabbed after being dumped in brush behind an apartment complex, officials said. Sgt. Jack Richards said witnesses to the torture of the 42-pound tortoise provided information that helped lead to the arrest.
"It wasn't until I got him loaded on the wagon to bring him home ... that I saw the blood," said Dorothy Sullivan.
Mosqueda's sister said her brother denies any involvement. She said he is a pet owner with two snakes, an iguana and a dog and he's never shown signs of cruelty to them.
An anonymous caller told the family where to find Bob. Police declined to discuss a motive, but Richards said it didn't appear the attacker wanted to eat Bob. The tortoise was being treated at Turtle Dreams, a Montecito rehabilitation center. The center's owner has said Bob's chances of recovery are good and that he is in stable condition.