BARRIE - A local man is devastated after a bizarre case of animal cruelty.

The homeowner called police after a third turtle was stolen from his backyard during the last few weeks.

Barrie police say the homeowner reported someone had entered his backyard and removed three nine-inch turtles from his backyard pond on three separate occasions.

He called police Saturday evening after one of the turtles was returned with several drill holes in its shell and left on his porch under the mailbox.

It should be noted that when previous generations wanted to keep turtles as pets, they would drill the shell and put the turtle on a leash in their yard.

However, it's now understood that drilling a hole through a turtle's shell is as painful as drilling through a person's finger nail and bone in their finger as their shells are comprised of live tissue with nerve endings.

This practice is now considered extremely cruel.

Police are asking for the public's assistance in helping to identify the person who performed this senseless act.