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The Animal Welfare Cause
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Loading...Michigan Woman Stops Crowd Attacking Frightened Turtle
By Anita Springer of Michigan (USA)
We live in a development of approximately 75 homes. Next to us was one undeveloped lot. One day I heard a commotion there and looked out to see about 10 adults and several more children yelling and cheering. Upon closer inspection, I noticed a huge snapping turtle on its back with its head flaying around to thwart off the sticks that were being used to poke at its head and legs. I went ballistic! I raced out there, yelling at the adults in the group.
“‘Don’t you adults realize what you are doing? You are teaching these children that it is okay to torture and torment an innocent, helpless animal who, in all likelihood, was there to dig a hole and bury its eggs.”
The crowd went silent as I quickly righted the turtle. I realized that I had no container to put the animal into, so I carefully picked it up two thirds of the way down from its head and held it out from my body (I know from past turtle rescue attempts that they will pee as a defense mechanism). I ended up, turtle in hand, sliding down the steep bank back to the river where I released it.
After I climbed back up, the crowd had dispersed, and except for telling my own adult children and my husband about the incident, I forgot all about it.
About five years later, our entire complex had a summer potluck which we attended. I knew few of the adults there as we both worked and had no small children to engage us with other parents. I went around and introduced myself to a group of about four couples. I said, “Hello, I am Anita Springer and we live at the end of this street.”
You Are the Turtle Lady!
One of the men said “No, you are not Anita Springer, you are ‘The Turtle Lady.’”
Evidently, he was one of the turtle harassers and his children have often reminded him of being careful with wildlife or the Turtle Lady would go after him. I can’t begin to tell you how gratified I was that I had succeeded in teaching a lesson that should have been unnecessary if parents had done their job.
When I relayed the incident to my son, he replied “My mom, the ‘closet radical’ for environmental and animal welfare has struck again.”
So now, in addition to this moniker, I can also proudly lay claim to fame as being a ‘Turtle Lady.”
Calling All Heroes
If you, like Anita, have had the courage to help an animal in crisis, we want to hear about it. Have you ever stepped in to help an animal despite the scorn of those around you? Have you ever rescued an animal that you were perhaps slightly afraid of?
Please share your rescue stories as part of The Great Animal Rescue Chase tournament to save one million. Simply log on to our website and upload the story (and photos if you have them) of the animal you’ve helped. Your story might just appear here on Care2.com in a future blog, and most importantly, you’ll inspire others to unleash the hero inside. A huge thank you to all of you who seize everyday opportunities to help animals in distress.
Related Stories:
Turtle Falls Off Forest Cliff: You Won’t Believe His Journey Home
Helpful Tortoise Gets a Friend Back on Its Feet (Video)
Man Throws Kitten Like Fastball: Brave Teen Comes to Rescue
Read more: snapping turtle, the great animal rescue chase, turtle lady
Photo credit: © Vanillastyling | Dreamstime.com
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Good for you, Anita. I would have done the same thing. What is wrong with people? How can they find enjoyment in hurting animals? I'm proud of you and send a great big "thanks" from all of us who love animals.
Beautiful story I am sure the turtle appreciated what you did for it and as far as parents educating their kids about animal kindness most do but if they don't then it is up to those that have a kind heart and steel backbone to do it for them.
Laura T. that was wonderful of you to risk you life to try and help that turtle, I would've done the same thing. There are alot of sadistic idiots out there, luckily there are also alot of great people like you.
she is alot like me.........i've gotten out in Boston traffic and saved a squirrel, a turtle and a cat
kudos to you turtle lady
Barbara U.
Yes indeed they do--except the ones who have found and decided to stick around on this site.(and a couple of others I go to, but out there in the world--most seem to don't they?
BALaura T. - I am curious to know about the car the hit the turtle on opurpose, could you see who was driving? Was it kids? man or woman? just wondering? too bad you couldn't get the tag number but who would have prsecuted? you could have posted it somewhere to embarass them I guess. I am sorry you couldn't get to him in time--really sorry, you must have been devestated-- didn't they see you heading for the turtle? or was that the point? Barbara is right! The more I learn on these animal rights/welfare sites the worse I feel. I only am disappointed in people as a rule, for their treatment of their own species, but ....................well you ALL know what I mean. Where is the compassion?
I saw a large turtle one day crawling on the shoulder of the road. He was heading into the road which was fairly busy. I stopped a ways past and was walking back to get him back to the pond when a car swerved and deliberately hit the poor thing killing it instantly. I was sickened at the casual cruelty but unable to do anything as I had been forced to jump off the shoulder to avoid also getting hit and was unable to get the license plate number.
People suck - I'm glad this lone woman had the courage and integrity stop this cruelty and teach these "grown ups" and their children that this is so wrong and that this turtle's life has value.
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