What the shell - terrapins dumped inside soggy cardboard box in a field

Take care before buying an exotic pet, RSPCA warns
 

Press release: Wednesday, 04 January 2012

The RSPCA is warning people against buying exotic pets on impulse after two terrapins were dumped in a field just after Christmas.

Sharon Bailey was walking her dog near her home in Headington, near Oxford on Thursday (29 December) when she came across a soggy cardboard box with the bedraggled reptiles inside.

She said: “My attention was drawn when my dog pounced on this wet object and to my surprise there were two terrapins inside.”

“They were pretty little things with yellow stripes, drenched in the rain. It seems heartless to have left them in this way, and I was concerned about them surviving out there so took them home and put them in the bath to warm up.”

The animal lover, who has experience owning reptiles, called the RSPCA for help. The animals were identified as yellow-bellied sliders and were taken into private boarding while a new home is sought.

Animals like terrapins are often abandoned in this way after being chosen as pets by people who want something unusual or quirky, but do not realise how difficult they can be to look after.

Also, films like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles prompt people to buy these animals and, with a new version out this year, the RSPCA fears it may result in many more people buying turtles on a whim.

RSPCA animal collection officer Dennis Lovell said he was appealing for information from anyone who might know who where the two abandoned terrapins came from. He said: “Sadly, it is not that unusual for terrapins to get dumped like this. Many people bought them on a whim after the ninja turtle films a while back and did not realise how big they can grow, how difficult they can be to care for properly and how expensive they can end up being.

“People get them as cute little pets when they are the size of a 50p piece, then get a shock when they grow to the size of a dinner plate a couple of years later and need bigger and better tanks, pumps and other equipment.

“They end up struggling to cope and there are lots of dumped terrapins living in the wild in England as a result. This has all kinds of knock-on effects to our eco-system.

“I hope the new film doesn’t end up making this problem worse.”

Anyone with any information about these dumped terrapins should call the 24 hour RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.

Notes to editors

Animal Collection Officer Lovell is happy to be interviewed and can provide access to the terrapins for photos. Sharon Bailey is not available for interview.