3 Men Arrested After Alleged Attack on Heroic Veteran and Turtle

As temperatures begin to warm up in parts of the country, turtles on the move face an array of dangers and obstacles, but this case is particularly upsetting. According to reports, three men in Daytona Beach, Florida, were charged with cruelty to animals after they were spotted torturing a turtle outside an apartment complex—going as far as lifting the turtle above their heads and smashing the animal onto the pavement, according to a witness. That’s when Garry Blough, who was alerted to the situation by his wife, stepped in to stop the horrific abuse. Blough, a veteran, was then reportedly attacked by the men, who were later caught and arrested by local authorities. They now face aggravated battery charges for reportedly attacking Blough. Watch more here:

Police claim to have later found the turtle who was attacked floating dead in a nearby pond in a puddle of blood. Although he was banged up during the incident, Blough told local reporters:

“I’d do it again and take the beating again if it meant saving that turtle.”

To show our thanks to Blough, PETA will be sending him a care package, including a “Never Be Silent” T-shirt, box of vegan cookies, and PETA calendar as well as a coloring book and PETA Kids superhero T-shirt for his young daughter. We’re thankful that people like Blough are willing to speak up for animals. May his kindness serve as an inspiration to people everywhere.

You can be a hero for abused animals, too.

As this story highlights, animals everywhere face unimaginable cruelty day in and day out. Never be silent if you witness animal abuse—even if it means calling police from the safety of a secure location. If authorities are unwilling to help, contact PETA.

And as temperatures warm up, keep an eye out for turtles on the move. They face many dangers in places where their habitats overlap with humans’. Your actions could mean the difference between life and death for an animal.

We salute Blough and everyone who takes a stand to help humans and animals in need. Join us in mourning this turtle and celebrating this veteran’s selflessness and bravery by sharing this story with your friends, family, and social media followers.