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Pet tortoise shot and killed in Indiana

Posted at 5:27 AM, Sep 05, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-05 09:57:43-04

ZIONSVILLE, Ind. -- A pet tortoise named Merlin was shot and killed in rural Zionsville, Indiana last week, leading to outrage from hundreds of people. 

According to the Facebook page, Justice for Merlin, the tortoise lived in a fenced-in yard for 12 years before it escaped sometime Thursday afternoon. 

The tortoise apparently made it to a sheep farmer's house, who shot it on his property, according to the page.

The farmer told the tortoise's owner he shot Merlin. 

The Boone County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident. In a release, the department said its animal control liaison has been in contact with the tortoise owner, the person who shot the tortoise and multiple witnesses. 

"The welfare of all who reside in Boone County is priority, whether human or animal," the release also states.

The page has a YouCaring page and is selling T-shirts, to raise money for Merlin's preservation and any upcoming legal fees. 

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