Turtle beaten on golf course has died

Snapping turtle may have been beaten with a golf club

DELAVAN, Wis. — A turtle that was beaten by a golf club at the Delbrook Golf Club in Delavan Monday morning has died.

The turtle was scheduled to have surgery Tuesday morning at a Fredonia vet clinic, but it died before then, said Jeannie Lord, Executive Director and Founder of the Pine View Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center.

“You could tell the person had definite bad intentions for the turtle,” said Darren Dace, Delbrook Golf Course superintendent. “He hit him four or five times in the shell is one thing, but then he went for the head.”

Photo of injured turtle (GRAPHIC IMAGE)

The snapping turtle was brought to Pine View on Monday night with several large cracks, gaping holes and marks on its shell and head.

“It’s horrific!” Lord said. “It was a mindless, senseless act of violence and it’s a crime.”

The Global Conservation Club of Wisconsin is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever is responsible for beating the snapping turtle. Anyone with information can call the Wicsonsin Department of Natural Resources Hotline at 1-800-TIP-WDNR.