Snapping turtle is considered a game animal in Michigan. I'm betting this animal was harvested for food. If that is the case, a fishing license is all that's needed in Michigan to harvest snapping turtles. I checked the Michigan Department of Natural Resources fishing regulations and couldn't find any information on acceptable forms of killing snapping turtles for food.
My bet is that these individuals did not understand beheading does not kill reptiles quickly (keep in mind that we represent a fairly small portion of the public here on Fauna). There is probably no law in place, at least in the hunting and fishing regulations, that specify exactly how snapping turtles are supposed to be dispatched when used for food.
This is a very different example from the teens setting the gopher tortoise on fire. I reserve judgement for conscious animal cruelty by the parties in question in this situation. While this is not an accepted form of euthanasia in academia or veterinary circles, this method of dispatching a snapping turtle is probably not illegal either.
This may be a better opportunity to spread awareness of the proper way to euthanize reptiles captured for food rather than frothing at the mouth in a rabid quest to prosecute someone who was probably unaware of committing any wrong. Many people do not differentiate between turtles and fish (certainly the states don't, since turtles are covered under fishing licenses), and fishermen leave fish to suffocate on banks all the time.
Not to say these practices are right, but I urge everyone here to act rationally and pursue an educational angle before a criminal one.
Some good points and I agree but I would also like to add to this. Particularly the beheading part. First, we all care about the animals we keep but in many areas eating snapping turtles is common.
Even the person that saved the video had commented on the girls previous video about cleaning snapping turtles mocking others that were giving her a hard time. I think he stated he was also a hunter.
Some aren't going to like this but
The problem that arises with him and others (I believe) was the use of a saw instead of a ax. Not the beheading.
Beheading is actually the recommended way from a hunting viewpoint. Where do I get this?
Type in cleaning snapping turtles into youtube you will get dozens of videos of snapping turtles with their heads cut off.
Type into google you get many videos and picture tutorials on how to field clean snapping turtles. They all involve chopping off the head quickly.
The saw part is where many hunters, fisherman and others have a problem. It wasn't quick enough.
As far as the Michigan DNR and authorities go this is what I read they stated.
Although the actions depicted in this video are technically legal under state statute—provided that the capture of the turtle was legal—we would advocate a more rapid means of taking the animal’s life. We further hope this turtle was taken for the purpose of human consumption.”
And it seemed to me their bigger concern seemed that someone posted about it rather than the act.
“We are certainly disappointed anyone would post something like that to social media
There are rules that prohibit some actions.
http://www.eregulations.com/michigan/fishing/amphibians-reptiles/
An all-species fishing license is required to take amphibians and reptiles for personal use. Reptiles and amphibians may not be bought, sold, or offered for sale.
Amphibians and reptiles MAY NOT be shot with firearms (including spring, air, or gas propelled), bow and arrow, or crossbow. season -July 15-Sept 15 13″ minimum
You can't shoot them. You are left with catching them and killing them.
So, I find a very strong difference between the two girls that killed the tortoise for fun vs this situation too, as Vanessa stated.
Going under the impression that this animal was killed for food there is a big difference but also a problem that many ethical hunters would have with this in regards to how long it took to dispatch the animal.
Like I stated, many here aren't going to like this but beheading a snapping turtle is common practice. It's in a every field guide for hunting that deals with turtles. There are many videos which shows the aftermath. Most don't show the actual beheading. Even with that, the use of the saw vs an ax by those that do hunt them found it inhumane.
No, I don't hunt them or plan on ever eating a reptile. People do much like they hunt anything else. I do however eat meat and have hunted and love to fish like many others here. Yes, there are many hunters that are members here.
Dispatching an animal should be done quickly and with little suffering as possible.
