The Santa Ana Police Department has launched an active investigation into disturbing social media reports detailing a man allegedly catching and mutilating turtles at Centennial Park.
On June 6, 2026, the Santa Ana Police Department issued a formal public advisory on X (formerly Twitter) stating they are aware of the situation and currently reviewing potential law violations. The announcement follows a wave of community outrage sparked by viral neighborhood warnings exposing the cruelty taking place at the park’s lake.
The Allegations: Angling or Animal Abuse?
According to local media updates from KTLA, the community first raised the alarm through localized social media alerts. A resident post warned neighbors of a man utilizing a fishing rod to target turtles:
“He has a fishing rod and is catching the turtles and releasing them. By doing so he is cutting their mouths and leaving them there…”…