Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We run a nonprofit reptile rescue, so we see a lot of sad stories. Recently we've had in a lot of hurting herps, like a deformed Sulcatta Tortoise that some kid was trying to trade for a six pack of beer, and a savannah monitor who's skin was literally bubbling off because it was being kept only a couple inches away from a giant flood lamp and it had no way to get away from the light. The other day though we had something that surprised even me.

8 AM the doorbell rings, even though I wasn't expecting anyone. It was the mailman with two packages, even though I wasn't expecting any packages. Inside I found NINE beardies, everyone last one of which was mangled up in one way or another. Seven were missing one, two, or three feet (not toes mind you, entire FEET). The two with all four feet had lame legs. A bunch had lost tail tips.

There was no note or anything. I searched the internet for a phone number to match the name and return address on the lable, but nothing turned up. It was either a fake name or unlisted. The packages had been sent two-day mail and luckily I was home when they got here. Had we been on vacation the animals certainly would have died.

My first thought is that these came from somebody who tried to rescue them. The more we noticed the amputated feet though, the more strange it all seemed. One, two, or three feet were missing on seven beardies. Not just toes, entire feet were gone, up past the ankle, with arms or legs just ending in nubs. The remaining feet were mostly in perfect condition, toe nails intact and all. With some feet completely gone, and others completely perfect, we had to wonder if these guys had been victims of mutilation.

Aside from their legs, they all seemed to be suffering general health problems. They probably all had differing ammounts of MBD and parasites. This was a sad day for us. Almost immediately folks in our rescue network offered to take in some of the beardies, but I still have to wonder where they came from, and who would do something like that.

I have pictures, but have never posted pics on here before so I'm not sure how to. Can anyone explain that part to me? If I can figure out how to do it I'll post some pics of the nine. Thanks.
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

Hey there,
You need to upload your photos onto kingsnakes directory, I thik you just go under photos, and it will have a link for uploading photos. The pictures need to by 50Kb I believe....Im not 100% sure. Then after you have uploaded them, there will be a list at the bottom of the posting form that has all of your photos that you can just attach to your message....be sure to give them good labels so it is clear what you are posting!

OMG! Now I've heard it all. I've rescued plenty of reptiles, and have developed a "hard shell" so to speak. I used to get all bent out of shape everytime I rescued another reptile. Well, I thought I had a hard shell until I read your story... I feel better now that I've let a few tears flow. It's been a while since I've heard a story of such dispair that touched me in a way like your story did. God bless you Jesse for caring for these nine defenseless beardies. I can't imagine who in their right mind would do something like this to a living creature. There really are some sick people out there. And even if it wasn't done intentionally, they willingly let it continue!

Please let me know if there is anything I can do. Good luck to you and to your future rescues!

Hugs and head bobs,
Veronica
Beautiful Dragons Reptile Rescue
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Beautiful Dragons

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Signature file edited; [phw 8/31/04]

If I did this right you should be able to see pictures of the nine beardies. I'm sort of glad you can't tell from the pictures in the grass that they're missing feet because it would really make you want to cry. I think with the rubbermaid picture you can see stubs on one of the beardies. But 7 out of 9 were missing 1, 2, or 3 feet and the two beardies with all four feet had lame back legs.

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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

here's two more pics. these poor guys. luckily they went to great homes from our rescue network within days. Two of the ladies who took them in wanted to take the "worst" ones so they could give them extra care and TLC. People like that deserve awards or something I think.

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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
Find out how YOU can get involved in reptile rescue...
www.forgottenfriend.org

Very nice website by the way....

If you have the photos uploaded online somewhere, like on your website you can link to them from here. Like this...

This forum won't let me write in the IMG tag command because it thinks I'm trying to post a photo. So, click on the "Tools and Toys" link just below the text box when you are typing up a post and will give you syntax to use. Hope that wasn't too confusing.

Hugs,
Veronica
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Beautiful Dragons

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Signature file edited; [phw 8/31/04]