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Man Who Mutilated Autistic Boy's Tortoise Gets Jail

by Matt Van Hoven

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November 8, 2007

CALIFORNIA – A Ventura man will spend 270 days in jail, five years on probation and pay $5,479 in restitution for torturing his autistic neighbor's pet tortoise.

Prosecutors say 18 year-old Jose Antonio Mosqueda nabbed the 40-pound African Tortoise named Bob from the Sullivan family's backyard. He cut the animal's legs and neck before throwing it against a wall and puncturing it's shell.

The boy's mother, Dorothy Sullivan, believes Mosqueda also poisoned a 12 year-old Dachshund belonging to the family. The dog had to be put down after ingesting what may have been anti-freeze.

Mosqueda has apologized for his actions and was credited with 156 days in jail for good conduct. But his lawyer's request to lower the felony charge to a misdemeanor was not met. Mosqueda must also surrender his pets – an iguana, dog and snake.

Dorothy Sullivan says although the tortoise is healing, her 7 year-old son, William was highly traumatized by the event.

Bob is his best friend- William spoke his first words to the tortoise.

Mosqueda's attorney says his client is remorseful for his actions – and has written the family apologies.

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Tags

tortoise, mutilated, california, reptiles, cruelty & abuse

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Norrie
Norrie (norrie43)
8 months ago
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I have a Sp. Needs child and through him have met autistic individuals, am sure the tortoise was more than a pet but his connection to the world. I hope the child and tortoise will heal. I am shocked that a pet owner would torture and kill other pets. I would have given him a heavier sentence!
 
horseboy
horseboy
8 months ago
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apologized ? isnt that sweet. who did that help but the one saying it.
 
ArthurCurtis
ArthurCurtis
8 months ago
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This is a scary story. Makes you wonder what this person could grow up to be! I would not want to be his neighbor
 
Wanda & Veronica ;.
Wanda & Veronica ;. (WandaLou)
8 months ago
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Any one that can do this to an animal & an autistic person is so far gone that he needs to be locked up for life. People like this don't just stop. They need help & some can't be helped.
 
Sarah K.
Sarah K. (Sarah2themax)
8 months ago
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How could any one do that to an animal
 
Janet
Janet (JanetsZoo)
8 months ago
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Having an autistic grandson, this is far worse than many people realize.
 
Vicky C.
Vicky C. (divido05)
8 months ago
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I can only imagine. I hope he is going to be ok. As for the guy who did it, he deserves what he gets and then some.
 
Rose W.
Rose W. (mongoosestalker)
8 months ago
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Not only is it cruelty to an animal, but it's also very cruel to the family who owned it.
It's depressing someone would do that.
 
Sarah H.
Sarah H. (smhammel)
8 months ago
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What a sicko. He deserves far worse. Talk about an empty apology.
 
CMiller4
CMiller4
8 months ago
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I really don't know if I could except the apology. He knew what he was doing was wrong. He should not be allowed to own pets again.
 
Wendie
Wendie (Wendie7)
9 months ago
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This just makes me sick. Literally churns my stomach. This guy needs to stay locked up for a long long time. I'd be looking for a new house if I was that family.
 
charleshjr
charleshjr
9 months ago
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This kids is really seriously demented he needs to be locked up
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
9 months ago
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Dewitt G.
Dewitt G. (dewittg)
9 months ago
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Apologies under duress are hardly apologies. . . It is good that he was found guilty of a felony and received jail time. As others have noted, he needs therapy as well if he is going to not abuse animals or people in the future.
 
Michele C.
Michele C. (pattimichele)
8 months ago
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I totally agree. This teen, statistically, to more serious crimes
 
Tom F.
Tom F. (TZF)
9 months ago
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Children can be so cruel, but this is even beyond cruel. This child has a serious mental problem that needs to be addressed before he turns into a serial killer.
 
L.H.S.
L.H.S. (libertyshelter)
9 months ago
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Just totally sick. This boy needs therapy and we should be asking "what type of person raised this child?".
 
Anthony C.
Anthony C. (DragonMan)
9 months ago
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This guy just needs to be locked away for life or something maybe just give him the death sentence before he becomes more of a pschopath
 
Praisethekitty
Praisethekitty
9 months ago
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First tortoises, then humans
 
Terry F.
Terry F. (TZFitch)
10 months ago
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He was credited 156 days with good conduct!? You've got to be kidding! There obviously weren't any animals that he could torture in his cell. This kid is on his way to being a serial killer.
 
Judy A.
Judy A. (rujual)
10 months ago
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When will the authorities wake up and punish these cruel people the way they torture the worlds beautiful creatures.
 
Lee M.
Lee M. (gridmonkey13)
10 months ago
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This is just sick. Why would he do that?
 
Tommy m.
Tommy m. (mccothom)
11 months ago
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why would you hurt an innocent turtle
 
Lourie H.
Lourie H. (LourieH)
11 months ago
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Again - not a long enough sentence. I agree he is disgusting.
 
oldmaidcatwoman
oldmaidcatwoman
11 months ago
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Torturing a turtle who belongs to an autistic child? This guy is disgusting.
 
naneki26 k.
naneki26 k. (naneki26)
1 year ago
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What a bad guy. Still need longer harsher sentances for these creeps.
 
Robbi P.
Robbi P. (RPonson81)
1 year ago
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He should have received a much longer sentance. That crime was uncalled for.
 
KR69
KR69
1 year ago
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9 months is all this guy got? He definately deserved a longer sentence.
 
John H.
John H. (JohnH)
1 year ago
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How on earth did this turtle recover? This guy does something this hainous, and is somehow remorseful? I don't buy it.
 
L.H.S.
L.H.S. (libertyshelter)
9 months ago
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Good question. They must have taken it to a vet because if the shell is damaged and not repaired, it's pretty much over for a turtle.
 
Chris
Chris (animaldaddy)
1 year ago
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He is a sicko! Thank goodness, the turtle is recovering.
 
Sarah M.
Sarah M. (mcginnis1901)
1 year ago
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Thank goodness the tortoise is recovering. This guy needs some serious help.
 
Alex C.
Alex C. (tushababy)
1 year ago
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Him apologizing is not enough. I'm glad that he got what he got. I was suprised by what he did that's just wrong. I don't understand people sometimes.
 
Chifontae T.
Chifontae T. (SexyC9487)
1 year ago
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He should have a longer jail sentence.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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trsatrtr
trsatrtr
1 year ago
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I am glad to see the tortoise is doing well. What kind of person could do something like this
 
Cindy Q.
Cindy Q. (cindypurple)
1 year ago
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At least the turtle lived....
I saw this on Animal Planet and the kid was asking his mom why the man did it. It was really sad.
 
David R.
David R. (Wally)
1 year ago
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This sadistic man should be locked up for much longer. You cannot cure that level of sadism I have heard.
 
mitchello2005
mitchello2005
1 year ago
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what a jerk
 
rena t.
rena t. (rena28614)
1 year ago
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how crazy! he should be kept in jail way longer, he killed their dog and tried to kill their turtle. I feel sorry for this family.
 
Tiffany S.
Tiffany S. (shockleylauren)
1 year ago
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I am glad to hear that this poor turtle is healing. Animals have such a way of reaching autistic children.
 
SexyChris
SexyChris
1 year ago
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I am glad that the turtle is healing. It is good that they are prosecuting animal abusers. Like one reader indicated the next step is child abuse.
 
jill l.
jill l. (JillLong)
1 year ago
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This poor boy. I don't think they should give this guy a break for apologizing. He needs serious mental health. The authorities better pay close attention to him in the future. I'm sure he will make the news again. (Crazy!)
 
DDoer
DDoer
1 year ago
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The statistics are clear on this, those that torture animals move on to people later in life. I am glad the tortise is healing, I can't imagine the vet bills. Poor family.
 
PAULDESNOYERS
PAULDESNOYERS
1 year ago
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How Horrible! The poor boy.
 
esther d.
esther d. (estherdesnoyers)
1 year ago
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What a sick man. His punishment wasn't harsh enough. The poor boy.
 
Brigit800
Brigit800
1 year ago
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Why would & how could someone do these things. I don't think the jail time is going to help him learn to not be a cruel torturous creature.
 
Chrissy
Chrissy (blondiestlouis)
1 year ago
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This is so sick sick kid and equally sick parents.
 
Anonymous
Anonymous
1 year ago
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Sue R.
Sue R. (suerob)
1 year ago
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He is sorry?????? He is sick and probably doesn't know HOW to be sorry.
 
Jacob H.
Jacob H. (jhupp22)
1 year ago
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that is sick
 
teacher123
teacher123
1 year ago
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This is the start of more serious crimes. Teens who torture animals intentionally have a high chance of growing up to be more serious criminals. Get this boy some help now before he hurts a child.
 
jdarunner
jdarunner
1 year ago
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hes just down right stupid to do those things to the animals.
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