Police have arrested a 60-year-old unemployed man suspected of stabbing 10 red-eared terrapins that were found in a pond outside a hospital last week.
Police launched an investigation after the 10 turtles were found abandoned in a pond outside Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in Chai Wan. Six of the turtles died, and four were severely injured.
The suspect, surnamed Cai, was arrested at his home in the Wan Tsui Estate in Chai Wan at 6pm yesterday, reports Hong Kong Economic Times.
Police took several items from Cai’s home as evidence including pencil cases, pencil sharpeners, and pencils that looked identical to the ones that were used to stab the turtles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHPNx6syzGU
Apple Daily reported that Cai had been sick in recent years, was a regular at the same hospital the turtles were found, and was at one point hospitalised because of back pain.
At the time of the incident, Cai was staying on the 10th floor of the hospital and was discharged from the hospital that day. During the investigation, police found an empty bread bag at the scene of the crime, which they believe was bought from a hospital kiosk.
Officers believe Cai may have used the bread to lure the turtles toward him, HKET reports.
Neighbours who spoke to Apple Daily said Cai was hot-tempered, but never abused animals in the past.
However, at one point, Cai was accused of burning a trash can.
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