Other Turtle Discussion :: RES Cruelty : (

[Maverick41]

I was very saddened to know that a vietnamese super market had res turtles for sale, as food. My little cousins had told me about this so I had to see it for myself. Sure enough, they had about 25 res in a basket piled up on top of each other. It was easy to assume that the turtles in the bottom of the pile were probably dead. I even touched one that was on top of the pile and it had no reaction, it seemed sad, depressed and hopeless. They also had another different turtle specie in the same inhumane condition, they even had one decapitated, just left out for people to see. My little cousins and I were sad and angry as we exited. Is this legal? Can we do anything to stop this? Please post.

[sflemin2]

Where are you located? This is not legal in the US. They have to be at least 4 inches to sell, you should report them ASAP. I got my babies 10 years ago in the same condition at the beach. They passed a law (because of the salmonella..not so much animal abuse..psh) a few years back. I would contact both ASPCA and the health department (which you may have more luck with). I havent seen turtles in these conditions at the beaches on the east coast in years but I still here stories about them in cities

[steve]

I don't think there are restrictions on selling them as food in the US. The best thing is to complain to every agency and organization you can think of. They might not be breaking the law, but they will not like the negative attention.

[theartbook35]

I don't have objections to selling turtles for food as long as it is not a threatened or endangered species, but, if people are going to eat it, then it should be kept in sanitary conditions. The fact that they may be selling turtles that have come in contact with diseased and dead turtles for food, is enough of a reason to report them, for human health risk. (Though, I think people who buy these turtles lack common sense).

It's always been my belief that if we are going to kill it and eat it, that it should be killed as humanely as possible. Torturing an animal even if it is going to die and be eaten is not acceptable.

[SINI5T3R]

Its not illegal to sale turtles as food in the US and I highly doute they are under four inches since that would not be worth the meat. Turtles are a traditional food in lots of country's and if you can eat a cow or a chicken then I don't see what's wrong with eating turtle. Yes they could be kept in better conditions but you know that wont happen when they are going to be cooked that same day.

[sflemin2]

If they are being sold as food it is still illegal to keep them in those conditions because of Salmonella. I have never seen turtles OVER 4" in these conditions..they are always quarter to half dollar size. Its hard for them to live to be more than 4" in those conditions