Target: Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Goal: Curb the illicit trafficking and cruel treatment of protected turtles.
In a disquieting development out of Bibb County, Georgia, Steven Verren Baker, a South Carolina man with prior convictions of turtle smuggling between the United States and Hong Kong, finds himself embroiled in a new set of grave allegations. Arrested and charged with 15 felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, Baker remains incarcerated, with bail set at $8,250. Law enforcement apparently chanced upon the troubling scene while responding to an unrelated call, discovering turtles kept in abysmal conditions in a basin concealed amidst rubbish.
Medical evaluation reportedly suggests these turtles have undergone long-term malnutrition, bacterial and fungal infections, sepsis, and even shell deformities. Among the animals are 11 rare albino red-eared sliders and an endangered Chinese golden thread turtle—species that underline the urgent need for stringent protective measures.
It cannot be overemphasized that the apparent exploitation and mistreatment of these vulnerable creatures would constitute not merely an ethical lapse but also a serious crime. As a society, the commitment to protect all forms of life reflects our collective ethos of compassion, justice, and integrity. If such cases go unaddressed, it not only emboldens other potential perpetrators but undermines public trust in the nation’s commitment to wildlife conservation. We must take immediate action.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Director Williams,
We, the undersigned, express grave concern over the recently uncovered allegations of aggravated animal cruelty in Bibb County, Georgia. According to reports, Steven Verren Baker, already convicted for similar offenses, allegedly mistreated and endangered a number of turtles, some of which are rare or endangered species.
Use your authority for the implementation of stringent regulations and vigilant monitoring mechanisms to prevent further occurrences. It remains crucial for the resources required for thorough investigations to be allocated swiftly in matters such as these.
We, as concerned global citizens, advocate for decisive action that communicates a zero-tolerance policy towards the illegal trafficking and mistreatment of protected turtles. Ignoring such malfeasance would be a travesty of justice and a betrayal of the values.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: 阿宏
Come on people. You know who this guy is and where is is. Take care of him yourself. The officials will never do anything meaningful.
I’m with you.
I’M WITH YOU ALSO!
Amen sista! If I lived anywhere near him, I wouldn’t hesitate to wipe this scumbag away forever
Yes people, please do. Animal abuse must not be tolerated and as you say, the ‘officials???’ will do nothing.
get him (and all animal abusers) off this earth.
PRAY FOR THE DAY WHEN THERE ARE LESS HUMANS ON THIS EARTH
Or no humans – I’m okay with that. It seems that’s the only way to protect innocent animals.
I’m all for that too. We are such a horrible species to innocent beings. We are a virus on earth
very sick scum
Why is the bail set so low? This man is a known animal predator so why is he not been in prison long before this incident? He is an extreme danger to all animals. He needs prison for life. There are so many abusers of wildlife out there. Start making a dent in their capture and prosecution .
Im so sick of these people
This criminal human monster is committing an EXTREME ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME and should be punished accordingly!
MAX JAIL!!
This is not his first offense – I think it may be his third or fourth from all the articles I’ve found on this evil SOB. It seems he lives in Holly Hill, SC – I can’t find an address for some reason. Holly Hill is the lower part of the state, in between Columbia and Charleston. The latest time, the turtles were found at his mother’s house in Georgia. The piece of crap deals with China/Hong Kong so you know these turtles are being killed. Just take him to the woods and shoot him in the head. Buzzard food is the only good use for him.
Sounds like the perfect solution!!
Any living thing going to China is always for food. It doesn’t matter if it’s animals or bugs, those yellow scumbags eat everything.
Gilda, I could not have said it better.
PRAY FOR THE DAY WHEN THERE ARE LESS HUMANS ON THIS EARTH
This man knows what he’s doing he only plays dumb. These are rare and endangered turtles. This is his second offense. These turtles are now in distressed condition. Who will pay to help? The taxpayer? Someone making a donation? THIS IGNORANT BUT SELFISH MAN NEEDS TO SAY GOOD BYE TO LIFE and be placed in the back of a prison. His $8000 exit fee needs to turn into $800,000.00. To play games with this type of filth is why we are forever playing games with more filth. We need halfway intelligent and caring people, not this garbage of a man. He needs to work to pay for the medical attention the turtles need after this recent harm to wildlife. If they die charge him with murder! He deserves no less and actually he deserve nothing at all!!!!!
Put this wretched human being in the trash – permanently!!
STUPID, CRYEL, & ABUSIVE IDIOTS SHOULD BE MADE TO CLEAN ALL THIS TRASH UP FOR ALL THESE PROTECYED TURTLES ENVIRONMENT(S) IMMEDIATELY!!!!!
Martha Williams, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Enough!!!!!!!…do everything in your power to investigate this thoroughly and implement and stringently enforce bans on ALL illicit trafficking of ALL turtles.
NO ONE ON THIS EARTH SHOULD GO UNPUNISHED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY LET ALONE PROFIT FROM IT!!!!!!!
THE SAME TREATMENT TO HER!!!
SEPSIS REALLY “???” ‘ ?? ‘ Many people and animals have died from sepsis !
WTH !! Place “Trash man” in the trash where HE belongs !!! !
There’s no excuse for animal abuse period you weak pathetic subhuman pile! Why is it you losers only pick on the vulnerable ones that can’t defend themselves that cant fight back well guess what that’s why we’re here to fight back for them to get justice for those who can’t!
Agree all comments give the same treatment to her and no bail. Just execute her. To much cruelty in this world and no punishment. Eye for a eye and we don’t want people on this earth that are cruel, That means all cruelty people.
I get so sick of authorities not giving harsh and severe punishments. These filthy animal abusers get away with just a slap on the wrist and the bail is usually way too low. Start chopping their hands off…maybe this WILL send a message.
This scum is obviously sending these turtles to China for the meat. Those damn chinks over there eat anything and everything on four legs including dogs and cats. Horrible China..
What is the point of passing laws (Note the words: “illegal trafficking” and “mistreatment of protected turtles”) if you aren’t going to uphold the laws and prosecute the perpetrators? Or perhaps the accused are bribing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials to “look the other way”?