HERALD EXPRESS (Devon, UK) 12 July 08 £400 Tortoise Stolen From Pen in Garden (Laura Dale)
A 40-year-old tortoise valued at £400 has been stolen from its pen in a Newton Abbot back garden, leaving its owner distraught.Fred, who has been handed down through family and friends, was taken from the garden of a semi-detached house in Swanborough Road.
The incident happened between 6pm on June 30 and 10am on July 1.
Owner Emily Bradford said: "I have had him for about two years, but he has been in the family for about 40 years.
"I put him out in the garden and when I came outside to bring him in he wasn't there. We checked his pen, which was intact.
"I'm upset and cross about it. I'm also worried because he needs to be looked after properly with heated lamps and to have the correct food."
A thorough search failed to find any trace of the much-loved pet so Ms Bradford called the police.
Officers confirmed the tortoise was penned in the rear garden by a tall wooden border and say so far Inquiries into the theft have not been successful.
A police spokesman said: "We hope this appeal may jog someone's memory - maybe they saw a tortoise suddenly appearing in someone's back yard or being offered for sale."
Anyone with any information regarding the missing tortoise should contact police at Newton Abbot on 08452 777 444 or crime stoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting JN/08/1897.
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