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Article Archive > Highlands man fined for keeping giant tortoises in his backyard Highlands man fined for keeping giant tortoises in his backyard HIGHLANDS - Richard Hines, also known as "the tortoise man," will be paying a somewhat hefty price for keeping four Aldabra tortoises - from 7 pounds to 320 pounds - in his backyard. Hines on Tuesday was charged in municipal court $750 in fines, $90 in court costs and $1,200 in restoration fees for keeping the exotic pets in his yard. Hines' trouble with his pets began in August when the four tortoises were discovered. "Big Black Jack (the 320-pound tortoise) is our family pet," Hines said. However, the state and county issued Hines summonses for cruelty to animals and having no permits to own the tortoises. However, since the reptiles were rescued in early September by the state Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife and the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals, the tortoises have been housed at the Popcorn Zoo in Lacey Township. At the hearing, Shannon Martiak, of the DEP's fish and wildlife division, said the main concern for the animals was to have a home to which Bergmann, general manager of the zoo, said the tortoises are presently being cared for by its veterinarian. He confirmed the size of the reptiles as being 320, 70, 15 and 7 pounds. "They are doing well," Bergmann said. The two larger tortoises had a respiratory infection and have cracks in their shells. After the hearing, Hines said he was satisfied with the verdict. According to his attorney, Gina A. Calogero, the fines could have been upward of $20,000. Six of the eight animal-cruelty charges were dropped, and the remaining two were down-graded to civil summons. Calogero explained the cruelty charges were because Hines was caring for the tortoises without supervision of a veterinarian and because of their living conditions. They are warm-weather reptiles. "I will miss my pets," Hines said. Victor "Buddy" Amato, chief law enforcement officer for the SPCA said without the help of the MCSPCA, the SPCA police, the DEP and the Popcorn Zoo, the animals would not have been rescued. "I'm pleased with the outcome. We can assure they (the tortoises) will be cared for properly in the future," Amato said. Martiak said the department will conduct a search for a permanent home for the tortoises and suspected their destination should be known sometime today. "I've had turtles all my life," Hines said, "I don't know life without them." |