Every summer in Ohio County, Indiana, an incredibly cruel and abusive event called Snapperfest takes place. During this event, Snapping Turtles are caught and kidnapped from local wetlands. The turtles are then wrestled and roughly swung by their tails. The turtles also have to endure being choked and grasped by the neck.
Despite the misconceptions, turtles are vertebrate animals that are capable of experiencing pain and suffering. A turtle's spine is fused to its shell, so being held, handled, and swung by its tail can cause serious injuries or even death. Physical pain and abuse aside, the experience of ''Snapperfest'' also causes extreme stress to the animals, which can have detrimental effects on their overall health.
http://www.change.org/petitions/please-speak-out-for-turtles-in-indiana#