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STAINES GUARDIAN (UK) 02 June 06 Family pet ‘stolen’ from garden (Louise Hale)
The shell-shocked owners of a tortoise which has been in the same family for 42 years are pleading for help in getting her back, after it is believed she was stolen.
Owner Pauline Quentin, 64, said Simon the tortoise could not have escaped from the rear garden of her mother's house in Hithermoore Road in Stanwell Moor because she was anchored with a rope attached to her shell via a metal ring.
Instead she is adamant she was stolen after the gate was found open and is pleading with the thieves to return her.
Simon, believed to be female, was adored by three generations of the same family. She is the size of a small football.
Mrs Quentin's sister originally brought Simon but passed her down to their father after having her son. Once their dad passed away, mum Janet Lacey, now 90, took care of her.
Since her mum entered a care home, Mrs Quentin has become the sole owner.
She said: "I cannot bring myself to tell my mum because she will be heart broken. A tortoise is not something you pick up and cuddle but when you have cared for it, fed it and ensured it hibernates every year, it's very upsetting.
"She is like a member of our family, this is a very difficult time."
Tortoises like Simon are registered as endangered animals and can only be imported into the country under strict licensing arrangements making them a target for thieves.
Animal Theft Register (ATR) spokesman John Hayward said they believe Simon was taken sometime between 2pm-11pm on Thursday, May 18.
He said: "We are very concerned for Simon's welfare. These animals can live for many years but only if they are well looked after. Anyone involved in stealing an animal like this faces stiff penalties including a £1,000 fine and up to five years in prison."
Mrs Quentin added: "The thought that children may have taken her and she may be disregarded somewhere really upsets me. She can be returned no question, but please just bring her back.
"If she has been stolen and sold I hope she is in safe hands. She needs to be feed well with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, bread and water."
An RSPCA spokesman said: "These exotic animals are very difficult to look after and whoever has taken it won't know how to look after it."
She said inadequate feeding can damage the shell and lungs, which is fatal.
Anyone who may have seen Simon is asked to call Mr Hayward at the ATR on 0780 240 4929.
Family pet ‘stolen’ from garden

With the care the tortoise was getting at its origional home I hope someone who knows what they are doing took it. Geez, tied with a ring in its shell and feeding it tomatoes lettuce and bread?