WIMBLETON GUARDIAN (UK) 20 June 07 Owner fears for stolen tortoise with three legs (Hollye Blades)
Four valuable tortoises belonging to a 76-year-old woman have been stolen in broad daylight from the back garden of her flat in Park Road, Kingston.
Shirley Scott had bred two of the tortoises from eggs 17 years ago and considered them part of the family.
She said: "One is called Friday, because it was born on a Friday and the other is called Tavvy. The other two are just babies, about 18 months old. We hadn't given them names yet."
The four reptiles are spur-thighed tortoises and can fetch up to £300 each in a petshop.
She said: "I'm sure they were taken for the money. Now you can't import tortoises anymore, they are far more valuable."
On Friday last week, Mrs Scott was approached by a scruffy-looking man while gardening outside her ground floor flat.
She said: "I was in the front garden and this man, a traveller, came up and started talking to me. Looking back, I can see he was determined to get into my house or garden. He then wandered around to my back garden, and started talking about the big trees that overhang from my neighbour's garden. We assumed he was there to cut them down.
“I am worried about one tortoise in particular as it only has three legs after it was attacked by a fox two years ago. Also, I know what they eat and don’t eat, and I’m worried they won’t be looked after properly. They are our pets and we miss them.”
Shirley Scott
"While I was in the back garden with him, two of the tortoises were in their pen and the two bigger ones were just lying in the sun.
"I thought it was strange actually that he didn't comment on them, everyone normally does.
"We finally persuaded him to leave."
The following morning at about 11am, Mrs Scott was in her bathroom when she saw a man walking away from her back garden. When her husband Jay went outside to investigate, he saw the tortoises had disappeared. Nothing else was missing.
Mrs Scott said: "I am worried about one tortoise in particular as it only has three legs after it was attacked by a fox two years ago. Also, I know what they eat and don't eat, and I'm worried they won't be looked after properly. They are our pets and we miss them."
Anyone with information about the theft can call the crime management unit at Kingston Police on 020 8721 5868.
http://www.wimbledonguardian.co.uk/news/topstories/display.var.1483126.0.owner_fears_for_stolen_tortoise_with_three_legs.php
LONDONIST (London, UK) 21 June 07 Three Legged Tortoise Stolen
What happens when a nice 76 year old woman lets a stranger into her garden, thinking he's there to cut down trees in a neighbour's yard? He sneaks back the next day, and steals her four tortoises, that's what.
Shirley Scott raised two of the tortoises from eggs, and they've been a part of the family for seventeen years. The older tortoises are called Friday and Tavvy, while the younger 18 month old tortoises have yet to be named. One of the tortoises was attacked by a fox two years ago, and has only three legs. Shirley is particularly worried about that one, but is also concerned that all four won't be looked after properly.
Since the 1984 ban on the import of spur-thighed tortoises, they're in high demand, and can fetch up to £300 each in a pet shop, and Scott is sure they were stolen for their cash value.
Londonist is firmly opposed to the stealing of tortoises from nice little old ladies, and would very much like you to call the crime management unit of the Kingston Police (020 8721 5868) if you have any info.
http://www.londonist.com/2007/06/three_legged_to.php
