Major Tortoise Theft – Surrey

[justmeandmytortoise]

Major Tortoise Theft – Surrey

Security Notice – Appeal for information

Between Tuesday 14th. and Thursday 16th. December 2010 residential premises in the area of Redhill, Surrey were the target of thieves when they stole from a heated out-house the following Tortoises:

2 Three year old Sulcatas

2 Three year old Hermann’s

1 Two year old Marginated

1 Four year old Marginated

1 Fifteen year old Spur-thighed.

The Hermann’s, Marginated and Spur-thighed species are subject to CITES Annex A and require Article 10 licences. To trade without such licences is a most serious offence and carries upwards of five years custodial sentence.

We make this appeal to anyone with any information as to the whereabouts of the stolen Tortoises. It is not the value of the missing animals which is the concern but their welfare and the loss of future breeding programmes.

It is particularly cruel to steal such animals at this time of the year and whoever is in possession of them will not be aware of their special diet and nutritional needs.

This was a pre-planned crime, one of a number in the South of England this year and all such Tortoise keepers and breeders should be most vigilant at this time.

They are all identifiable and rewards have been offered for their safe return and any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves.

Please contact the police with any information.

[purplelynn]

Will definately keep an ear / eye out as fairly local to me.
Dreadful for the owner - hope they are all found quickly
Very glad my tort is indoors now.

[Aliza]

Oh how horrible! Were they all stolen from one person?

[Geomyda]

Have there been any developments on this case?

[justmeandmytortoise]

Originally Posted by Geomyda

Have there been any developments on this case?

How would anyone hear if there were

[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by justmeandmytortoise

How would anyone hear if there were

I wondered if the National Theft register run by John Hayward had published anything, or contacted local Tortoise groups to see if they had seen or heard anything suspicious?
With the recent very harsh weather conditions some of the animals that appear to have been stolen might well present with significant health issues. Maybe, Vets, or rehoming centres in Southern England might have been approached under what might appear to be odd circumstances.