Mutilated Turtle ALIVE and for sale at Chinese Supermarket in California (graphic images)

While shopping at 99 Ranch Market on Barber Lane in Milpitas, California, I found a mutilated turtle on display in the fish department. Its top shell was sheared off, displaying its entire innards. I tried to avert my eyes but then noticed what I thought was a dead turtle lift its head. I couldn't believe it. As disgusted as I was about what I saw, I was compelled to return to take video and photo evidence.

I called the San Jose Animal Control which has jurisdiction in Milpitas and was told there was nothing they could do because a turtle is not an animal. When I pressed about what constitutes an animal, they said they are only equipped to handle cats and dogs.

I then called the California State Department of Fish and Game who has offered to help, although their interest is more in if the turtle was legally caught, not whether it was being tortured. I'm still awaiting their call back next week.

After an hour when I couldn't get any authority to investigate, I finally talked to the store manager Johnny, pleading that he have the turtle killed. Five minutes later when I returned to the counter, a customer had bought a quarter of the turtle so it finally did die.

We Chinese like fresh food and will eat just about anything. However, there is no reason to mutilate this poor animal then keep it ALIVE to prolong it's suffering just to PROVE freshness.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• turtle
• tortoise
• terrapin
• animal
• cruelty
• mutilation
• california
• USA
• united
• states
• america
• milpitas
• 99
• ranch
• supermarket
• market
• china
• chinese
• food
• mutilate
• kill
• alive
• control
• investigation
• fish
• game
• wildlife
• san
• jose
• santa
• clara
• peta
• consumer
• safety
• against
• eat
• abuse
• dog
• shopping
• animals
• dogs
• cat
• cats
• pets
• cooking
• pain
• suffer
• suffering
• killing
• mutilating
• rescue
• asian
• asia
• culture

[sevendst19]

@sevendst19 and as I did I saw it moving* typed that all wrong.

[sevendst19]

I almost ran over a turtle today, car in front of me jumped out of the way to miss it, I saw it and mistook it for a piece of debris and went right over it and as it I saw it moving and realized it was a turtle. Poor little guy was crawling across a highway on ramp and I'm sure someone probably eventually ran him over. This turtle does look alive to me, you can tell hes finally dead in that last shot after hes had a section cut out.

[awkwebum100]

@MrBeanerKiller Many southerners in America eat snakes, fish, octopus. And even if the Chinese eat cats, I find that their way of culture. Besides it's not so bad right? A cat is just another animal like a cow is to us. The cat population is very high too sir. And I'm not so sure about that monkey thing. Sounds something that China wouldn't even do.

[LaVivaGan]

@COLmegoCOLma No, my friend, you have no clue about anatomy.

You people don't seem to get it, why is there such a popular misconception with Americans, in France, we all seem to understand this but it's as if you Americans don't even understand how death works..

Death is a process, not an instance. Until every neuron in your mind oxidizes, you're still alive, despite the fact that you can't feel pain.

Sources: I've taken Anatomy in 11 seperate countries, and I'm 24 years old.

[klingonking1]

@RealismOfLife STFU hater. He went to Harvard and makes more and will make more in one year then you will in your entire life. Not to mention that you are a total racist...

[thesars101]

well yeah to bad you didnt do anything about it!

[7footballfanatic7]

just read the description and it seems that you have way to much time on your hands lady

[BeepimajeepBeep]

@COLmegoCOLma The head did move by itself without any stimulation.... not sure what you are talking about.

[COLmegoCOLma]

Guys its dead, look at the blood, it bled out a long time ago. its not alive. if you belive it is alive you have no clue about anatomy.

Btw 12 dollars for all that? Where is this market located XD

[JVDnh3]

Can reptiles even feel pain?