Snapperfest is an annual event that celebrates and cheers animal abuse in the name of family fun. It's an event where turtles are dropped repeatedly, carried by their tail, stressed out and traumatized by pulling their heads out forcibly. Please watch the following video to get an idea of what happens at the event. http://youtu.be/pwSdzhi8-6A

The organizers of the event are claiming that most videos of the event that are going around are from the first few years, the event first started in 1996. The organizers also claim that no one is allowed to carry the turtles by their tails. But if you watch the video in the link above you will see that the shirt of the person who times the contestants says Snapperfest 2010 or 2011 and even the organizers carry the turtles by their tails (watch around 9:45 into the video). So clearly the claims by the organizers aren't true.

When administration officials were contacted in 2011 they sent out an automated message, from just about every department. Here is an exerpt from the automated message that people received "Many individuals who have voiced objection to Snapperfest point to the animal cruelty laws found in Indiana Code 35-46-3. However, that law is not applicable in this instance because it provides an exemption for wild animals that are legally taken and possessed under the authority of Indiana Code 14-22.". In May 15th of this year the Indiana department of natural resources has clarified that the animal cruelty laws do apply to the turtles at the event. During the Natural resources commission's May 15th meeting Mr. Reiter has said that "IC 35-46-3-12 does deal with wild animals post-take and prevents cruelty to them.". He has further stated that the initial response given was not complete enough and that the response should have stated that animal cruelty statute continues to cover wild animals and protect them. Please refer to the following document to see the minutes of the meeting from May 15th, http://www.in.gov/nrc/files/nrc_minutes_may_2012_draft.pdf

Given that the department of natural resources has clarified that animal cruelty laws do apply to the turtles in the Snapperfest event it is time to ask the administration in Indiana if it considers Snapperfest to be an animal abuse event or if they think otherwise. If the administration in Indiana doesn't think that what is shown in the video is animal abuse then it should state why they think so and also clarify if they would replace the turtles with pet dogs and subject them to the same trauma.

Please ask Governon Mitch Daniels and his administration to clarify their stand and help the turtles.

Thank you.
Michael