Joel Charles Ross and 2 juvenile boys

Turtle burning video draws disgust

Hawley, MN

May, 2006

An online video showing two people from Hawley, MN, lighting a turtle on fire has caught the attention and disgust of online viewers and animal rights advocates around the world.  Police became aware of the incident after Hawley Sgt. Thomas Taylor received an email with a link to the video.  After Taylor reviewed the video, he recognized Ross and one of the boys and realized it was filmed in Hawley.

Joel Charles Ross, age 18, of 821 Joseph St. has been charged with animal cruelty, which carries a maximum 90-day jail sentence and/or $1,000 in fines. Ross pleaded not guilty on July 10 and will appear in Clay County Court on July 17^th for a pre-trial hearing.  Trial date is expected to be set at that time.

The online video depicts two males dousing a large female snapping turtle with gasoline and lighting a trail behind it that engulfs the turtle in flames. The fire is put out and ignited again.  As the turtle tries to escape, the two dance around her, laughing and yelling ‘what are you going to do about it’, as the third individual operating the camera is heard encouraging the two as the camera ‘zooms’ in.  It is not known whether the turtle survived, as it has not been found.  There is no indication that it is not alive.  It is believed that the turtle returned back to the water after the incident.

The two other individuals are juveniles and are being handled by Clay County.  Assistant County Attorney Cheryl Duysen who would not comment on whether they have been or will be charged.

Norreen Dickson, a co-owner of an animal shelter in Houston that deals with turtles, immediately started an online petition urging Hawley Prosecutor Kevin Miller to pursue the most serious penalty for this crime as soon as she viewed the video. Since July 1^st, nearly 1,700 people have signed the online petition, which includes people from as far away as Australia and the United Kingdom.  In addition, the Hawley Prosecutor, Kevin Miller has received numerous faxes, emails, phone calls and letters.  The petition asks for the maximum penalty, court ordered psychiatric evaluations and counseling for Ross, barring him from future contact with animals in Minnesota and payment of medical expenses and restitution if it is determined that the turtle is still alive.

Miller’s response has been that he plans to order counseling for Ross, if convicted, but he does not plan to bar Ross from being around animals as it is questionable whether it can be ordered and also questions the practicality of trying to enforce barring him from future contact with animals.  Minnesota law does state that if convicted, a restriction can be imposed upon the individual, banning them from owning or controlling an animal during their probation.  If convicted for this misdemeanor, probation for Ross would be one year.

Though the video was taken down from its original posting, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have added information about the case and the video to a section of its Web site that posts similar incidents.

Update July 4, 2006:

Misdemeanor animal cruelty charges have been filed against the two juvenile boys due to the vigorous pursuit of Hawley City Prosecutor Kevin Miller and Assistant Clay County Attorney Jenel Wavra.

Update 8/8/06:

18-year old Joel Charles Ross of Hawley has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty for a videotaped incident in which he and two friends lit a turtle on fire and danced around it.

Ross admitted that they set the large snapping turtle on fire. He stated they did it twice, and dressed up differently because they wanted their video to be ‘more funny and exciting’. Ross further stated that he put the gas on the turtle and made a trail, and one of his friends ignited it with a lighter.

Ross was arrested after a police officer received the online video posting in an email.

In court on Monday, August 7th, Ross acknowledged that he knew the act would be cruel and painful to the animal. Judge Michael Kirk will sentence Ross on September 18th. He could face up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. Ross’ attorney does not expect the maximum because the two juveniles involved received community service.

Judge Kirk also ordered a psychiatric evaluation for Ross after his attorney, Dennis Fisher, stated that it was too expensive for the family to do on their own. Fisher further stated that the incident seemed to be a ‘one-time’ event – that Ross has pets at home and has had pets at home before with none of those animals ever being harmed.

Update 9/19/06:

Ross was sentenced to jail and community service for burning the turtle.  The 2 juveniles received community service as well.  Ross will serve 5 days in jail, perform at least 50 hours of community service and pay a $500 fine - the fine can be reduced to $100 if Ross completes more community service.  Ross will face more jail time and higher fines if he fails to comply to the terms of his probation.

Reference:

The Detroit Lakes Tribune	Helping Animals
Duluth News Tribune	Peta
WCCO TV	Duluth Superior