Snapping Turtle Taken Into Custody In Hackettstown

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — It's not every day you see a giant snapping turtle walking down the road in New Jersey, but that's exactly what happened in Hackettstown Wednesday afternoon, police said.

Police say the giant turtle was found wandering around on East Ave. After a "slow pursuit," the turtle was taken into custody. Thankfully for the 40-50 pound turtle, he was let go with a warning, and officers took him to the Musconetcong River where he swam away.

One thing officers don't know: why the turtle was walking around the streets of Hackettstown in the first place.

"Why did the turtle cross the road? We may not have an answer to that question, but the story has a happy ending," police said.

Have you spotted any unusual animals in Hackettstown recently? Send a picture to katie.kausch@patch.com.

Image via Hackettstown Police Department