Man reported for keeping turtles at home in Monreale

Last Updated: October 10, 2024

Alleva esemplari di tartarughe in casa, denunciato a Monreale

Carabinieri from the Monreale station, Cites and the canine unit of Palermo reported a 37-year-old man for theft of electricity, illegal possession of ammunition, alteration of a firearm, and illegal possession of protected animal species. In his home, he was raising 21 specimens of turtles of the protected species “Testudo Hermanni”, which lacked the Cites certification necessary for the legal possession of animals.

The turtles were kept in precarious conditions inside makeshift terrariums, divided by age and growth stage in a shed on the property adjacent to the house. During the search, the carabinieri also found a modified compressed air rifle, 4 caliber 8 cartridges, and one caliber 12 cartridge, all illegally held. Enel technicians confirmed the theft of electricity with an illegal connection to power the halogen lamps and heating systems necessary for the turtle breeding. The animals, rifle, and ammunition were seized.