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Facebook video shows teens attacking, beating snapping turtle

Posted at 11:10 AM, Jun 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-06-13 11:45:12-04

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is investigating after discovering a Facebook video showing multiple teens attacking and beating a snapping turtle.

According to Facebook viewers the incident happened Monday and is believed to have happened in the Elma area.

"Wildlife, including snapping turtles, are protected and regulated in New York State under NYS Environmental Conservation Law," the DEC said.

The Facebook post claims students from Iroquois High School are the teens in the video. Iroquois Central Schools Superintendent Douglas Scofield says the school is also investigating the incident to see if any of their students are involved. Any information the school may recover will be handed over to the DEC.

If you see an environmental crime, you can report it to an Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO). The DEC's 24 hour hotline can be reached at 1-844-DEC-ECOs (1-844-332-3267).

7 Eyewitness News has access to the full video but has chosen not to show it due to its violent nature.