OKay...I have been following this since my initial post and I am just shocked at the "justifying" a wrong that I see. It's illegal...period....the kid/father shouldn't have had it in the first place. If they had done what they should have from the outset and reported the seller themselves, they wouldn't even be in this situation....instead, the kid is "showing off" his illegal contraband. That in itself is an issue....you are getting on to the person who reported them when you should be wondering what person participates in an illegal activity and then invites total strangers to be a witness? Someone who has no respect for the law....and don't even try the "he didn't know it was illegal" defense....these people (if we are to give them the benefit of the doubt here and say they were "responsible" turtle buyers) had to have done some research before or at the time of purchase - so they knew it was illegal. If you choose to participate in an illegal activity, whether you choose to speed, steal, or buy an illegal turtle, you assume the risk and the consequences that it entails. Don't feel bad for these people....they knew there were potential consequences. It has to stop somewhere.....there have to be laws and regulations....and no, we are not all perfect, everyone breaks some law at some point - it happens....but we made the laws...as a people...majority ruled....and this is what we decided needed to be done for our animal friends that cannot help themselves.....my mother and I face it time and time again. We have friends who want that squirrel or raccoon as a pet....who want the bear or the alligator that is currently in rehab....and we must restrain ourselves because legally, and morally, it is the right thing to do. So all this bs about someone being two-faced and wrong for doing the right thing.....it's a bunch of crap. You are either for the animals welfare or you're not....you can't walk away from the right decision because it's easier....you can't put a personal concern for the law breaker ahead of your concern for the animal....or you lose sight of the reason these laws are in place to begin with....and you take a thousand steps back in the process. Without people who care, the world will be over run with people who don't....
My additional 2 cents.....