Turtle brutally abused, found zip-tied in submerged cage with hook in mouth, $2K reward offered

Authorities have posted a $2,000 reward for information leading to an arrest after a turtle was found trapped inside a submerged cage at Geiger Park Lake in Deer Park, trapped by zip ties and impaled with a fishhook.

Babylon Town Park Rangers discovered the turtle while responding to an unrelated complaint about e-bikes in the park, according to the Suffolk SPCA. When rangers pulled the cage out from the water, they found the turtle tethered inside, with no way to escape, and a fishhook lodged in its mouth.

Miraculously, the turtle survived the brutal treatment. It was rescued Sunday at 3:30 p.m. and rushed to West Islip Veterinary Hospital for emergency evaluation and treatment.

The SPCA has labeled the incident a “severe act of animal cruelty” and is asking anyone with information, or anyone who witnessed suspicious activity near Geiger Park Lake, to come forward.

How to help

Anyone with information is urged by authorities to call the Suffolk County SPCA at 631.382.7722. All calls are kept confidential.

_{Top: provided by Suffolk SPCA}