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    Google Adsense ad revenue for December, 2025 was just $30 over the cost of the lease for the server running this site. So, in effect, the money providing the incentive for me to continue running this site is coming SOLELY from the paid memberships and sponsorships here. Which honestly ain't much....

Bad Guy Jim Talioferro - Dead Shipment/Unresponsive

A few question/comments here - ( I do ship Turtles/Tortoises very frequently )

1 - The Tortoise was shipped on a Friday? Really? ( I don't think I read that wrong? )

2 - A Tortoise that size should never be shipped through any overnight carrier.......They can walk right through that box.......The Airlines would be cheaper and more efficient for an animal like that........

3 - Were there any type of Ice packs or something to cool the animal?

4 - The only Turtle/Tortoise I've seen shipped taped up were smuggled animals......They don't make noise that way........Obviously someone is looking up to the wrong role models?


That was a really nice looking Sulcata though, one that was obviously raised right.......I seriously doubt that came through a rescue........
 
Just some notes, while reflecting, for all members/viewers..

The glaring mistakes I made during transaction..

1. Didn't scour the BOI initially for information
2. Did not view his FC profile
3. Communicated primarily through conversation and text messaging
4. Did not request address from which animal was leaving
5. Sent Payment via Paypal (gift), which the "gift" option seems to be the requested transaction of choice these days due to the transaction percentage costs.

We all know the rule about hindsight.
 
Eric - It was a very clean female with a great shell, etc.

There were no Ice Packs. There were holes in the box, but they did not penetrate the styro she was contained in.

I sent all of my shipping contact info at 1:48pm on Wed the 27th. When the animal arrived, the date stamp showed a shipment date of the 27th as well, so that would have put her shipping on a Wed. I am working on getting all the paperwork from UPS to track.

Another mistake I made was discarding the box with the tracking number due to the soiled state. I forgot to remove the tracking label before discarding.

I do not know, but I assume she was sent standard ground, as 2 day service would have put her at our facility Friday evening.
 
I am SO sorry this happened to the poor animal. I am also sorry it happened to you Galen. If anyone asks for paypal to be a "gift" don't do it!!! They won't give you your money back and you can't fight for it. If it is a purchase than paypal will at least try and get your money back. Have you contacted pay pal? I doubt they will do anything as you made it a gift but you can try.

I hope this person rots in hadies for this. That poor girl died a horrible death. I hope he get the same.
 
Angela - Like most, even though I buy, produce and ship reptiles frequently, I think I was wrapped up in the excitement of the purchase. Something new and different as I have never kept really large tortoises. This type of activity was really the farthest thing from my mind at the time as I was wrapped up in the considerations that I had everything ready to go for her arrival. Lessons learned for sure.
 
The originating UPS store has been very helpful and is tracking down details.

Unfortunately, they do not have the shippers address. Only phone and email.

The shipper, I believe is his girlfriend/wife. I am not completely sure of the relationship, but she appears to be the one that shipped.

The animal was shipped on a Wed and sent standard ground as confirmed by the UPS location that she was shipped from.

The UPS store was extremely helpful and was very positive on the shipping of live reptiles from thier facility. They conveyed that they can take additional measures to ensure the correct placement of animals, etc. during transit, if they know that the packages are live animals. The store also stated that they ship several lizards, etc. and will watch for any additional activity.
 
You obviously have pictures of your DOA, do you have any pictures linking the box with the tortoise in it to Jim? I really want to call the Fish/Wildlife services on him. I've stated this in an earlier post, but that is straight up animal cruelty. Anyone who does that needs to be fined/imprisoned for as much/long as their worth.

I'm going to call the game warden where I am from and was raised, and see if theres any laws, which I'm sure there are, against what he did to this animal.

Please let me know if I can do anything Galen, seriously, please do.

Trey
 
I do not have a picture that directly links the label to the specific box, etc.

I do have the tracking number and associated information on the shipper of the package, Emily Schafrick, supposed spouse. In addition, I have the relevant communications directing where payment was to be sent, etc.

I believe there is enough evidence, from a fraud perspective, to initiate a fairly clean case. I am not too well versed on the cruelty piece and will have to research. The multiple offenses of breach, cruelty, false information, fraud, etc. can probably be tied together to make a more severe impact. I am not a lawyer, so there are assumptions on my part.

As stated in the advertisement of the female, there was a stated guarantee of live arrival. This did not have any detail regarding conditions and should stand based on the sole guarantee of a live arrival. I don't feel there is any argument against definition of either alive or dead in this case. The images pretty much seal that up regarding his guarantee.

I will have Mr. Taliaferros complete information shortly to get the legal process started.
 
that make me sick..he sould not be alowed to ship in that kind of heat it was hot and i would not even let my reptiles out in it for 5 min let alone a weekend
 
This is easily one of the must gut-wrenching and heart breaking BOI threads I've ever seen. I'm so glad that the male survived and is now in your care, Galen.
 
O my gosh this just breaks my heart to see such a beautiful animal suffer the way she did... I think your case is a fairly solid one and I sure hope this awful person gets what they deserve.
 
Wow, that is so terrible. :( I can't believe anyone would do that to a tortoise or any animal period. Then he tapes the male up to obviously keep him from making noise. Who knows, maybe in his (much diluted) mind he thought taping him in a small box would keep him from flipping over. Um...still that's not going to work. What if the box was on its back. He would have been doomed. :(
Were there appropriate labels on either box out of curiosity?
"Fragile"
"Live Harmless Reptiles"
"This End Up"
"Keep at room temperature 70-75 F (22-24 C)" (or appropriate temps for certain species...you get my point).

Did he put any indications on the boxes at all besides a few holes that didn't go through the styro?

I'm so glad that little male has you to take care of him. The photos of the poor female made my stomach turn. I feel so bad for her and I'm sure being the one to open that box was a nightmare and a half.

I hope you get the full refund and these people are not allowed to only ship but not allowed to do business as well. That is animal cruelty and reckless shipping standards. Ug.

Almost feels like lately a leak has been found in the reptile community where all the cruel, idiotic and truly bad people are coming out of. :/

Kindest regards,

Amanda
 
I am so sickened by this. I am a tortoise keeper, and I have also had many shipped to and from me, and this is by far the most horrific thing I have ever seen. That poor beautiful animal. What a waste.

I feel that animal cruelty charges are appropriate here. The tape alone is abuse, but that female died plain and simple from gross negligence. Unfortunately I doubt anyone in law enforcement will care, because it is "just a turtle." Too sad.
 
kyryah said:
Unfortunately I doubt anyone in law enforcement will care, because it is "just a turtle." Too sad.
Click to expand...

I have to respectfully disagree with this. There are plenty of people who will defend any animal. Heck, you could call PETA and I'm sure they'd give you an attorney on their dime.

I am expecting a call back tomorrow from my old local F&W Service guy, he'll fill me in on if anything can be done, and who to call.

I can't say this enough, this is the most cruel thing I've seen to date.

Trey Jackson
 
Since this is the BOI, I will curb my tongue. :angry:

Aside from outright lying about the size of the male Sulcatta and theft of the OP's money, what that "man" did to those torts was absolutely criminal! He's obviously not fit to care for a sea-monkey!

The 2 Fauna accounts with different stated locations (OH & MI) further shows him to be a liar. Just to reiterate, this is his Facebook. He obviously thinks highly of himself; his photos are all just him,him,scrawny him.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=65002915#!/profile.php?id=100000878646833

Here's the girlfriend, Emily Schafrick:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Emily-Schafrick/65002915#!/profile.php?id=65002915

And here's to you, Galen, for persuing legal action. It's doubtful Jim will do the right thing all on his own - a little legal prodding might just be the ticket.
Looks like he was here just an hour ago (11:12 PM), looking at a Wanted ad, a trade of an Am. Alligator for water turtles. Coward.
 
I'm not a tortoise guy, so please forgive my stupidity here. Don't tortoises eat fruit and greens and stuff? How often would a 19-pound adult need to be fed? How could he NOT notice that an animal shipped on a Wednesday wasn't there until Monday? Does that necessarily mean it wasn't being kept at his house?

So, he's been here at least a couple times today. The silence speaks volumes. I think he's still trying to use this site before his karma goes too negative....
 
kyryah said:
Unfortunately I doubt anyone in law enforcement will care, because it is "just a turtle." Too sad.
Click to expand...

I really hate such blanket statements.
Although LE can take action, and some may, chances are that LE would refer such cases to Animal Control, Game Warden, etc.
Not because they do not care, but because there may be a "feel" that such cases (re. animals) are more appropriate to be handled by agencies that deal, more specifically, with animals.
I can tell you, first hand, that there are plenty of LE officers that do care ... and care a lot.
Also, if the OP is not refunded, it would be a civil matter (under the eyes of the law). The male being smaller, than what was stated (in private communication), would also be a civil matter.
Smuggling (should that be a case) is also handled by different agencies.
Fraud could be taken up, by LE, but I don't think that fraud fits into this because Jim did send what was advertised (the female).

That said, this situation (with the tortoises) just sickens me to no end. It creates an "agony", within me, when I think of what these tortoises must have gone through ... especially that poor, beautiful, female!
Wish I could place the responsible individuals in an oven... tit for tat.
However, since that is not possible (or legal), I truly hope some productive legal measures, along with animal cruelty charges, can/will be taken upon Jim and his SO.
 
I have seen and read about some real scumbags on the BOI, but this one takes the cake, that poor tort. I hope you get your money back and more. People who mistreat animals really boil my blood.
 
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