$2,500 Reward Offered for Help in Nabbing Couple Who Ran Over Protected Animals
PETA Calls On the Public to Help Bring Culprits to Justice for Destroying Nests, Killing Birds
For Immediate Release:
July 2, 2015
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
A man and a woman in an ATV reportedly ran over five roped-off sea turtle nests and three black skimmer chicks—killing two of the birds and injuring the other—deliberately targeting the animals in a reckless drive down the beach on Anna Maria Island Saturday night. Officials are unsure how many sea turtle eggs may have been damaged or destroyed, as they’re not due to hatch until the fall.
Police have yet to make any arrests in connection with the violent incident—for which the couple will face federal and state charges of cruelty to animals—so PETA is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprits.
“By targeting and killing defenseless protected animals in an egregiously cruel act, these heartless individuals also broke the law,” says PETA Senior Director Colleen O’Brien. “PETA is urging anyone with information to come forward now, before anyone else gets hurt.”
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—offers tips for helping wildlife and reporting cruelty to animals on its website.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the Holmes Beach Police Department at 941-708-5807 or the Bradenton Beach Police Department at 941-778-6411.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
