BEAVERTON, OR (KPTV) -
A police officer was dispatched to remove an unruly subject from a Beaverton yard Monday, but this wasn't your average call.
The subject in question was a 10-pound common snapping turtle. It somehow wandered into a yard off Southwest Davies Road near Otter Lane. The officer came close to getting bitten by the turtle, which has powerful jaws capable of taking off a digit or two.
"That one could easily take a finger off if they got upset," Tim Criswell, who owns House of Reptiles, said of the male turtle. "They're grumpy, they don't like human contact and they're very able to defend themselves if they have to."
Snapping turtles are an invasive species in Oregon and a permit is now required to own one. But the turtles are living and breeding in the state after pet owners have released them into the wild.
The homeowner had recently read a newspaper article about snapping turtles and wanted it gone.
"I honestly would say in my 17 years working at the Beaverton Police Department, this is the first turtle call that we've had," said spokesman Officer Michael Rowe.
He said the officer, who did not want his name released, expected to find a small turtle. Instead, the snapping turtle was about 16 inches long and about a foot wide.
The officer first tried to coax it into a metal trash can, but the turtle dug its claws into the ground.
"And during one of his attempts, he describes it very well that the turtle lurched his head backwards and attempted to bite his hand," said Rowe.
At this point, the officer used a shovel to get the turtle into the trash can. He then drove to the House of Reptiles in Tigard, a seat belt keeping the can secure in the front seat.
Criswell said the officer did a great job. He was pleased he brought the turtle to the store.
"They knew that there would be some authorities that they would call that the animal would be euthanized," said Criswell. "He didn't want to see that happen. But he was more than a little concerned about the potential threat that the animal posed, first to the public, that he took care of, and then to himself. Like I said, he was ready to get rid of it."
Criswell said he may keep the turtle at the House of Reptiles. He may find it a home with someone who has a permit to keep invasive species.
Rowe recommends people who come across turtles or wildlife call authorities.
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