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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

That if you find an animal which is clearly lost....

18 replies

startwig1982 · 15/05/2013 22:55

You don't just take it home as a pet!!!
My lovely tortoise escaped from my garden just over a week ago and thanks to lazydog and the power of t'internet, we've tracked him down to where he was last seen.
A woman had him overnight in her garden, put there by a dog walker. He then collected him the next day as a pet for his grandchildren. Angry
Now, is it just me, or would you not make some attempt to find the owner? We have posters up and leafleted and I do understand that he may not have seen these, but really? Tortoises are not native to the UK; they certainly do not turn up in fields; they are not wild animals that can be taken from a field as a pet!!!
Surely ianbu to think you might phone the vet/RSPCA/police if you found a foot long tortoise while walking your dog?

OP posts:
Original poster
startwig1982 · 15/05/2013 22:56

Sorry for the rant, just had a very disappointing and frustrating few days.

OP posts:
ExitPursuedByABear · 15/05/2013 22:58

So glad he is safe. I used to have a tortoise but he ran off all the time. I lid you not.

ExitPursuedByABear · 15/05/2013 22:58

Kid

Original poster
startwig1982 · 15/05/2013 22:59

Well that's the thing. Although he's been found, he's not been found by us and we have no idea who this bloke is!

OP posts:
LegoAcupuncture · 15/05/2013 22:59

YANBU! I hope you get him back.

The people who live three doors down have a tortoise in his 50s who likes to wander into our garden for the weeds and I'd never dream of keeping him!

ExitPursuedByABear · 15/05/2013 23:02

You need to get him back. Not many people know how to look after a tortoise. Sorry not helpful.

Original poster
startwig1982 · 15/05/2013 23:03

I'm doing all I can. I spoke to the police tonight (on non emergency number) as we have a partial number plate, so they are aware. It is technically theft and I'm so desperate for him to be back with us!

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 15/05/2013 23:04

Personally I'd contact the local paper and see if they'll run a story . Also did the woman who had him overnight know what sort of dog it was as that would narrow it down . Do you have a small child that can look distressed for a photo in the paper ? Hope you get him back .

ExitPursuedByABear · 15/05/2013 23:08

Partial number plate on the torty? Liking the idea of sad child in the local paper. Feel sad about my torty now. He never came back. But he was on a mission.

Lovesabadboy · 15/05/2013 23:14

That is terrible Startwig. Sad

I also wonder if he is aware of how very expensive tortoises are and is rubbing his hands with glee. Hmm

I think going to the local paper is a great idea.
Don't give up on this...I bet he knows very well that he could easily have found out who the owner was - he just didn't want to. Angry

Floralnomad · 15/05/2013 23:19

If you do go to the press make sure you mention the number plate and that you've told the police ,it may just worry someone enough to give him back . Also make sure you say that he's got distinguishing features or a tattoo or chip , even if he hasn't .

NeoMaxiZoomDweebie · 15/05/2013 23:19

Yes...local paper and talking and leafleting to the area this man is from. What a horrible thing to do. Everyone knows tortoises are rare and a bit spesh.

Mosschops30 · 15/05/2013 23:33

Facebook seems to be very popular for lost animals (or people) at the moment

ExitPursuedByABear · 16/05/2013 12:19

Any news?

DeWe · 16/05/2013 13:09

Our tortoise ran away when we were little and we never got him back despite advertising. What was very irritating is that previously we had found a tortoise and gone to a lot of effort to reunite it with its owner.

chicaguapa · 16/05/2013 13:29

Awwww! I love tortoises!

Definitely go to the local press, because the man will have friends & neighbours will know that he has your tortoise. I'm sure he's told someone that he found a tortoise for his dgc and someone's bound to see it in the paper and put pressure on him to return him.

Manchesterhistorygirl · 16/05/2013 13:30

You are not being unreasonable! I have found many dogs, I think I have some dog homing becon in my head, and always, always register them with the dogs home, etc. we've ended up keeping two and two went home!

WileyRoadRunner · 16/05/2013 13:51

Yes local Facebook sites are very good for this sort of thing - think local selling sites and get them to share the info.

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